Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery

Summary: Background: Microvascular flap surgery is a widely used procedure for the reconstruction of various defects. Data on laboratory biomarkers for the prediction of flap complications are currently limited. We aimed to investigate the link between preoperative fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR)...

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Main Authors: Rihards Peteris Rocans, Janis Zarins, Evita Bine, Insana Mahauri, Renars Deksnis, Margarita Citovica, Simona Donina, Indulis Vanags, Biruta Mamaja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:JPRAS Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587825000646
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author Rihards Peteris Rocans
Janis Zarins
Evita Bine
Insana Mahauri
Renars Deksnis
Margarita Citovica
Simona Donina
Indulis Vanags
Biruta Mamaja
author_facet Rihards Peteris Rocans
Janis Zarins
Evita Bine
Insana Mahauri
Renars Deksnis
Margarita Citovica
Simona Donina
Indulis Vanags
Biruta Mamaja
author_sort Rihards Peteris Rocans
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Background: Microvascular flap surgery is a widely used procedure for the reconstruction of various defects. Data on laboratory biomarkers for the prediction of flap complications are currently limited. We aimed to investigate the link between preoperative fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) and various flap complications. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 130 adult patients who underwent elective microvascular flap surgery. Preoperative blood samples for the analysis of plasma fibrinogen (g/L) and albumin (g/L) were collected on the day of surgery before initiating crystalloid infusion. Post-operative data on various flap complications were obtained. Results: The overall complication rate was 17.7% with true flap loss occurring in 5.4%. Binary logistic regression revealed that the patients with FAR<0.08 and FAR<0.06 had increased odds of flap hematoma or flap loss (OR 3.68 [1.04-13.03], p=0.044 and 6.01 [1.71-21.08], p=0.005). Patients with FAR>0.10 had increased odds of minor flap complications (OR 5.47 [1.33-22.50], p=0.019). Patients with FAR<0.06 had increased odds of any flap complications (OR 4.71 [1.27-18.03], p=0.021). Patients with FAR>0.10 also had increased odds of any flap complications (OR 3.09 [1.08-8.81], p=0.035), implying a U-shaped link. Conclusions: Assessment of FAR to estimate the risk of complications has considerable predictive value in microvascular flap surgery. Patients undergoing this surgery can be evaluated to predict their nutrition and coagulation risks and optimize decision-making in their perioperative care.
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spelling doaj-art-d02e4eaf14304db0b856104f73cd71a12025-08-20T03:54:07ZengElsevierJPRAS Open2352-58782025-06-014441442310.1016/j.jpra.2025.03.022Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgeryRihards Peteris Rocans0Janis Zarins1Evita Bine2Insana Mahauri3Renars Deksnis4Margarita Citovica5Simona Donina6Indulis Vanags7Biruta Mamaja8Intensive Care Clinic, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia; Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia; Corresponding author.Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery Centre of Latvia, Riga, Latvia; Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence, Headquarters at Riga Technical University, Riga, LatviaIntensive Care Clinic, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, LatviaDepartment of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, LatviaSurgical Oncology Clinic, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, LatviaLaboratory Department, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, LatviaInstitute of Microbiology and Virology, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia; Outpatient Department, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, LatviaDepartment of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, LatviaDepartment of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, LatviaSummary: Background: Microvascular flap surgery is a widely used procedure for the reconstruction of various defects. Data on laboratory biomarkers for the prediction of flap complications are currently limited. We aimed to investigate the link between preoperative fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) and various flap complications. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 130 adult patients who underwent elective microvascular flap surgery. Preoperative blood samples for the analysis of plasma fibrinogen (g/L) and albumin (g/L) were collected on the day of surgery before initiating crystalloid infusion. Post-operative data on various flap complications were obtained. Results: The overall complication rate was 17.7% with true flap loss occurring in 5.4%. Binary logistic regression revealed that the patients with FAR<0.08 and FAR<0.06 had increased odds of flap hematoma or flap loss (OR 3.68 [1.04-13.03], p=0.044 and 6.01 [1.71-21.08], p=0.005). Patients with FAR>0.10 had increased odds of minor flap complications (OR 5.47 [1.33-22.50], p=0.019). Patients with FAR<0.06 had increased odds of any flap complications (OR 4.71 [1.27-18.03], p=0.021). Patients with FAR>0.10 also had increased odds of any flap complications (OR 3.09 [1.08-8.81], p=0.035), implying a U-shaped link. Conclusions: Assessment of FAR to estimate the risk of complications has considerable predictive value in microvascular flap surgery. Patients undergoing this surgery can be evaluated to predict their nutrition and coagulation risks and optimize decision-making in their perioperative care.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587825000646fibrinogen-to-albumin ratioFARmicrovascular flap surgerymicrovascular flap complicationsreconstructive surgery
spellingShingle Rihards Peteris Rocans
Janis Zarins
Evita Bine
Insana Mahauri
Renars Deksnis
Margarita Citovica
Simona Donina
Indulis Vanags
Biruta Mamaja
Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
JPRAS Open
fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio
FAR
microvascular flap surgery
microvascular flap complications
reconstructive surgery
title Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
title_full Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
title_fullStr Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
title_full_unstemmed Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
title_short Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
title_sort fibrinogen to albumin ratio far for predicting microvascular flap complications in reconstructive surgery
topic fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio
FAR
microvascular flap surgery
microvascular flap complications
reconstructive surgery
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587825000646
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