Application of the pedicled m. latissimus dorsi flap for trunk reconstructions

Abstract

PURPOSE: M. latissimus dorsi flap is one of the most commonly used pedicled flaps in plastic surgery. It can be based either on the dominant thoracodorsal vessels, or, as a reverse flap, on its secondary segmental pedicles. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate our experience with pedicled flaps from m. latissimus dorsi for trunk reconstructions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, we applied eight flaps on 7 patients: four flaps for breast reconstruction, one flap for postmastectomy radiation wound treatment, one flap to cover a defect on the anterior thoracic wall caused by toxic skin necrosis, one flap to correct axillary skin contracture after deep burn injury, and one for lumbar reconstruction after malignant melanoma radical excision. RESULTS: In the present paper, two cases with application of this flap were reported to illustrate the stages of the surgical technique. All the flaps were vital and adapted normally. Narrow partial skin necrosis and donor scar depression were observed in the largest skin-muscle flap only. CONCLUSION: M. latissimus dorsi pedicled flaps are reliable source for trunk reconstructions. They may transfer abundant plastic material to compensate tissue deficit of different etiology. The risk of complications is insignificant, whereas the patients' quality of life is considerably improved. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2013; 45(2): 86-90.