Abstract: Thromboelastography and Intraoperative Anticoagulation during Reconstructive Microsurgery

INTRODUCTION: Maintaining optimal coagulation is vital for successful microvascular flap transfer. Hypercoagulate states are risk factors for pedicle thrombosis and flap loss.1 Therefore, identifying patients who are at risk for such events is paramount. The viscoelastic Thromboelastography (TEG) is a modern method to assess a patient’s coagulation status and in the past, it has predominantly been used in critical care, cardiac or trauma surgery.2 The aim of our study was to evaluate its diagnostic capabilities, its role compared to classic coagulation tests, and the effect of low-dose heparin in reconstructive breast microsurgery.