Factor V Leiden associated with flap loss in microsurgical breast reconstruction

Abstract

Two cases are reported of flap loss following microsurgical perforator flap breast reconstruction in patients diagnosed with a factor V Leiden mutation. Factor V Leiden is the most common inherited cause of hypercoagulability, leading to an increased risk of thrombotic events. The first patient underwent a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap and then had recurrent arterial thrombosis both intraoperatively and postoperatively. This patient was subsequently diagnosed with a factor V Leiden mutation. The second patient had a known factor V Leiden mutation and underwent a superior gluteal artery perforator flap, which developed thrombosis and flap loss 2 days later. Preoperative assessment of a personal or family history of unexplained venous or arterial thrombosis should prompt suspicion of a factor V Leiden mutation. This mutation places patients at high risk for thromboembolic events in microvascular breast reconstruction, particularly when oral contraceptives or tamoxifen are used in conjunction.