Objective: This study describes a case of a successful free flap repair using argatroban for local intraluminal irrigation as a substitute to heparin in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Methods: Case report and review of literature.
Results: The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and the free flap survived without complications.
Conclusions: The use of argatroban during microvascular surgery is likely to be safe and simple and may be effective in preventing micro-thrombotic complications during microvascular surgery, and it should be considered as an alternative to heparinized saline for local intraluminal irrigation.
Keywords: argatroban; free flap reconstruction; head and neck cancer; head and neck reconstruction; head and neck surgery; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; microsurgery; radial forearm free flap.