Journal of reconstructive microsurgery
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J Reconstr Microsurg · Jan 2018
Surgical Duration Impacts Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
Increased surgical duration can impact patient outcomes and operative efficiency metrics. In particular, there are studies suggesting that increased surgical duration can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). One of the longer duration plastic surgery procedures commonly performed is microsurgical breast reconstruction. With the widening indications for multiple and "stacked" free flaps to reconstruct breasts, we endeavored to assess (1) the relationship between duration of microsurgical breast reconstruction and VTE; and (2) determine if a threshold operative time exists that connotes VTE higher risk. ⋯ Risk, II.