Six Cases of Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Pedicled Flap for Head and Neck Defects in the Era of Free Flap Reconstruction

Abstract

Received October 16, 2010 Revised January 4, 2011 Accepted January 12, 2011 Address for correspondence J. Hun Hah, MD Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea Tel +82-2-2072-0215 Fax +82-2-745-2387 E-mail jhunhah@snu.ac.kr Reconstruction with free flaps has become the choice of reconstruction for most patients with head and neck defects. However, pedicled flaps, such as pectoralis major pedicled flap and latissimus dorsi pedicled flap (LDPF), can also be used instead in selected patients. We performed LDPFs in 6 patients from November 2007 to September 2009. Five of the patients were females with either vascular diseases or large skin defects, or they were highrisk old patients. One male patient received LDPF as a salvage after tongue reconstruction with a free flap failed. Various types of head and neck defects were effectively managed with LDPF without complications. LDPF can be one option for head and neck reconstruction especially in patients who may hve high risk in undergoing free flap reconstruction. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2011;54:174-8 Key WordsZZLatissimus dorsi flap ᆞPectoralis major myocutaneous flap ᆞPedicled flap ᆞ Free flap reconstruction.