• Chen-Ting Hung and Honda Hsu.
• Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Feb 17; 102 (7): e33013e33013.

RationaleThe use of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Astra Zeneca) vaccine has proven beneficial, but in a limited number of the general population, it was found to be associated with vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). However, there have been no reports of this complication occurring in a microsurgical free tissue transfer.Patient ConcernsA 49-year-old man developed an acute myocardial infarction 3 weeks after receiving his first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in June 2021. Three months later, he presented with right third toe wet gangrene with extension into the plantar foot nine days after receiving his second dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine.DiagnosisBased on recent exposure to vaccination, the timing of inoculation before the development of his symptoms, and serology tests (platelet, D-dimer, and anti-PF4 antibodies), the patient was diagnosed with VITT.InterventionsFasciectomy and sequestrectomy were performed for wound bed preparation. Limb salvage was done using free vastus lateralis muscle flap and skin graft for reconstruction.OutcomeThe flap was complicated by persistent microthrombi leading to superficial necrosis without vascular pedicle compromise. Repeated debridement of the superficial necrosis was done. Three months after the development of VITT, no further new superficial necrosis was seen. A well-contoured flap was seen 5 months after the initial surgery.LessonsWe believe this is the first case describing microthrombi in the free flap due to VITT after microsurgical reconstruction. Patients and surgeons should be advised of this possible risk when contemplating microsurgery once VITT has developed after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 administration.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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