Successful lower leg microsurgical reconstruction in homozygous sickle cell disease: Case report

ABSTRACT: We present an 18-year-old female with sickle cell disease, who presented with an extensive lower leg ulcer over a 12-year course of the disease. Definitive reconstruction was made using a free latissimus dorsi flap and split-skin grafts. One week before the surgery, the plasmapheresis prot...

Full description

Autores:
Posso Zapata, Carolina María
Cuéllar Ambrosi, Francisco
Tipo de recurso:
Article of journal
Fecha de publicación:
2016
Institución:
Universidad de Antioquia
Repositorio:
Repositorio UdeA
Idioma:
eng
OAI Identifier:
oai:bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co:10495/44926
Acceso en línea:
https://hdl.handle.net/10495/44926
Palabra clave:
Colgajos Tisulares Libres
Free Tissue Flaps
Anemia de Células Falciformes
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Úlcera
Ulcer
https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D058752
https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D000755
https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D014456
Rights
openAccess
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT: We present an 18-year-old female with sickle cell disease, who presented with an extensive lower leg ulcer over a 12-year course of the disease. Definitive reconstruction was made using a free latissimus dorsi flap and split-skin grafts. One week before the surgery, the plasmapheresis protocol and blood transfusion were administered, in order to achieve a hemoglobin S level of ≤ 30%. Intraoperatively, the flap pedicle was rinsed with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 until the thrombolytic agent was obtained from the comitant vein; after the arterial flow had been released, an intravenous bolus dose of heparin (2000 U) was administrated. No vascular complications occurred. Postoperatively, the patient received a 10-d course of hemodilution and a 14-d course of full-dose anticoagulation. After 8 mo postoperatively, the patient was able to walk and run, and showed complete wound healing. This case indicates that sickle cell disease is not a contraindication to free tissue transfer; however, the complications, their rate and overall outcomes for these cases are not yet clear. Herein, we provide an algorithm based on our clinical experience in this type of case and treatment, including several recommendations that may help to reduce thrombosis risk and systemic complications.