Late salvage of a free TRAM flap

We present the case of a patient with arterial thrombosis of a free TRAM flap 11 days after surgery. Initial salvage involved thrombectomy through an arteriotomy using a Fogarty catheter. Subsequent return to the operating theatre was necessary because of further vascular compromise. Thrombectomy was combined with flap thrombolysis and anticoagulation, and the flap remained viable at 6 months. Although rates of successful salvage vary, the literature indicates that flaps are rarely saved if signs of compromise present later than 2 days postoperatively. This case demonstrates that aggressive salvage may be successful even in cases of ‘late’ vascular compromise.