Free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for the repair of head composite tissue defect

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical effect of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in the repair of head composite tissue defect. Methods From July 2015 to April 2018, 7 patients with head composite tissue defect, which included 5 males and 2 females, aged from 10 to 52 years old were admitted in the First People′s Hospital of Yulin. The wounds were caused by various reasons 5 cases of head squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of electric injury and 1 case of trauma. For tumor patients combined with neurosurgery to remove the lesion tissue, the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were cut and transplanted to cover the wound immediately after the thorough expansion of trauma patients, and the donor area were closed directly or byskin grafts. Results The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps were cut with areas from 16 cm×6 cm to 28 cm×20 cm, 6 cases of thoracic and dorsal vessels anastomos is with the superficial temporal vessels, and 1 case of thoracic and dorsal vessels anastomosis with occipital vessels. The blood supply of myocutaneous flaps were good in 6 cases, and venous crisis occurred in 1 case on the second day after the operation. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 3 months to 1 year. No tumor recurrence was observed in the tumor patients, and the wound surfaces were locally smooth. Conclusions The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is a good method for repairing the defect of the head composite tissue defect with big size and good blood supply. Key words: Surgical flap; Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap; Free flap transplantation; Head; Compound tissue; Wound