Successful free flap transfer and salvage in sickle cell trait

The presence of sickle cell haemoglobin is generally regarded as a contraindication to free tissue transfer. We present the case of a 42-year-old male with sickle cell trait who had free transfer of a latissimus dorsi flap to cover a gunshot wound to his thigh. His initial haemoglobin S was 36%. Early flap failure from venous thrombosis was successfully salvaged by re-anastomosis to alternative vessels.