Case report of a definitive autologous reconstruction in a patient requiring immediate postoperative anticoagulation and reduced operative time

INTRODUCTION: The available options for post-mastectomy reconstruction in a patient requiring abbreviated operative times and immediate and sustained post-operative anticoagulation are limited. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 50 year old woman with a history of multiple deep venous thromboses (DVTs) and pulmonary embolisms (PEs) requested a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. She had a history of multiple breast biopsies demonstrating atypia and two sisters with premenopausal breast cancer. Her hematologist requested that her anticoagulation be held for the minimal amount of time and that her theater times be kept as short as possible. As such, we felt that she was not a candidate for traditional implant-based reconstruction nor autologous flap surgery. Instead, we made use of a recently described single-stage autologous modified Goldilocks procedure to complete her bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction in 150 min. She was anticoagulated in the operating room and was restarted on her preoperative regimen twelve hours after surgery. She suffered no post-operative complications. DISCUSSION: There is minimal published literature discussing immediate post-mastectomy reconstruction in the anticoagulated patient. Most reconstructive surgeons find these patients unsuitable for traditional reconstructive techniques. In the current case, we utilized a recently described single-stage autologous technique which allowed us to avoid the bleeding complications associated with the muscular dissection required with implant and flap-based reconstructive surgery. The extirpation and reconstruction was completed in 150 min which is significantly quicker than traditional reconstructions. CONCLUSION: The modified Goldilocks procedure is an excellent option in the patient who requires immediate postoperative anticoagulation and abbreviated operative times.