Thrombocytosis is associated with complications after microvascular surgery: An NSQIP data analysis. - 2020

BACKGROUND: Complications after microvascular surgery, such as partial flap loss, and arterial/venous compromise cannot only increase morbidity for the patient but also tax the healthcare system. Thrombocytosis, both essential and reactive, can predispose patients to thrombosis and hemorrhage and thus should intuitively have an effect on the outcome of microvascular free tissue transfers. We sought to evaluate the effect of preoperative thrombocytosis on outcomes after microvascular free flap surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients with thrombocytosis undergoing microvascular free flaps are at increased risk for complications, including the need for a blood transfusion, prolonged hospital stays, and reoperation. Copyright (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. METHODS: A retrospective review of the 2013-2016 American Collges of Surgeons, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database identified 4,299 patients who had microsurgical flaps. Of these 3,744 had preoperative platelet levels recorded. Fifty-four patients had preoperative thrombocytosis, defined as a platelet count >450 K/CUMM, while 3,690 did not. The groups were compared; demographics, comorbidities, and smoking status were recorded. We then examined outcomes between groups including average operative time, length of hospital stay, need for transfusion, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) postoperatively, and need for reoperation. RESULTS: When comparing the two cohorts, there was no statistical difference in comorbidities. We found a significant difference between the thrombocytosis and control cohort in need for transfusion (29.6 vs. 12.8%, p = .0002), average days till discharge (8.36 vs. 5.75, p = .009), and need for reoperation (27.8 vs. 13.8%, p = .003). There was no difference in DVT occurrence (0 vs. 0.1%, p = .46) or average operation time (535 m vs. 482 min, p = .088).


English

0738-1085

10.1002/micr.30530 [doi]


*Microsurgery
*Postoperative Complications/ep [Epidemiology]
*Postoperative Complications/et [Etiology]
*Thrombocytosis/co [Complications]
*Vascular Surgical Procedures/mt [Methods]
Adult
Data Analysis
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications/pc [Prevention & Control]
Quality Improvement
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
United States


Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center


Journal Article