Using the costal muscle flap with latissimus dorsi muscle to repair full-thickness anterior chest wall defects

Musculoosseous flaps with latissimus dorsi muscle are used for reconstruction of full-thickness anterior chest wall defects. The 11th and 12th ribs and the posterior parietal pleura are elevated with the latissimus dorsi muscle. The blood supply of the compound flap comes from the thoracodorsal pedicle and from perforating segmental vessels. The posterior thoracic wall island is transferred to the anterior chest wall defect to restore a skeletal plane and the transposed latissimus dorsi obliterates all the dead spaces that cannot be collapsed. The latissimus dorsi compound flap with the 11th and 12th ribs appears to be a "safe" procedure to reconstruct full-thickness anterior chest wall defects.     

Reconstruction of large anterior full-thickness defect in the chest wall after resection of chondrosarcoma

Radical removal of a chondrosarcoma resulted in a very large full-thickness defect of the anterior chest wall, including the body of the sternum and adjacent parts of the ribs on both sides. The defect was closed with a double layer of Marlex mesh supported by metal bars bridging the gaps between the ends of resected ribs. This prosthesis was covered with bilateral latissimus dorsi muscle flaps and a split-thickness skin graft. The result, from both the functional and the cosmetic points of view, was excellent. The method permits closure of very large chest wall defects, enabling extensive radical removal of malignant tumours to prevent local recurrence.     

Radical sternectomy and primary musculocutaneous flap reconstruction to control sternal osteitis

OBJECTIVE: Sternal osteitis after median sternotomy is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The use of muscle and omentum flaps has been proved as valid adjunct to combat these severe infections. In this study we present our experience with a more radical approach. METHODS: Sternectomy consisted of the resection of the entire sternum, including the costochondral arches and the sternoclavicular joints, and was followed by the repair of the defect with musculocutaneous flaps without any restabilization of the thoracic wall. Thirteen patients received a vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, 14 patients received a pedicled latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, and 12 patients received a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap (total of 40 flaps in 39 patients of 66 patients who required surgical revision for sternal osteitis of 6078 total patients with sternotomies). RESULTS: Two patients died within 30 days after the operation (early mortality of 5.1%); however, they did not die of sternal infection, which was cured without any recurrence in all cases. Seventeen patients (44%) required secondary, mostly minor operations for local complications. Despite some paradoxic chest movements, the patient satisfaction rating was unanimously high at the long-term follow-up (0.4 to 8.5 years, median 2.3 years). The short- and long-term complication rates were similar in the three groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that radical sternectomy and immediate musculocutaneous flap repair provided definitive control of sternal infection in even the most severe cases, thus reducing infection-related mortality. The trade-off was a substantial rate of local complications; however, these did not cause any relevant morbidity.     

Resection and reconstruction of sternnum

In case of sternal resection, it is necessary to preserve bone material indispensable for the stability of the anterior chest wall and air tightness of the thoracic cavity, and the support of the chest wall integrity must be restored by some means. Various techniques have been applied to the reconstruction of the chest wall following resection. During the last 10 yers, we have performed reconstructive operation for 6 cases of the chest wall following resection of the sternum in recurrent cases of breast cancer or invaded case of primary breast cancer. In these patients, the chest wall was reconstructed using a rib-latissimus dorsi osteomyocutaneolus flap or a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The sternum was totally resected in 3 cases, and in all 3 cases, reconstructed using a rib-latissimus dorsi osteomyocutaneous flap. Although postoperative pulmonary function decreased, all cases could be relieved from endotracheal intubation within 17 hours aftr operation, and had no problems in activities of daily living or occurrence of chest flailing or paradoxical movement of the chest. An artificial material (expanded polytetrafluoroethlene patch) was used in only one patient for the reconstruction of the osseous thorax, but this case developed infection during postoperative chemotherapy. After this experience, we used only biological materials for the reconstruction of the chest wall and postoperatively performed radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy on all cases. We have observed no flap infection or detachment since then. One characteristic of using the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is that it is easily elevated and rarely causes serious postoperative esthetic or functional problems. The flap is also easily utilized to reinforce the osseous thorax because ribs immediately below the latissimus dorsi muscle are readily mobilized as a pedicle graft. Reconstruction of the chest wall following resection of the sternum, described in this report, allowed us to perform radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy without serious postoperative complications on the cases relapsing after treatment of breast cance. The 2-year survival rate is 50% and one of these cases survived up to 10 years after resection of the sternum. Thus we prefer to perform resection of the sternum for sternal recurrence of breast cancerif there are no metastatic lesions in other organs.     

Thoracic wall reconstruction using both portions of the latissimus dorsi previously divided in the course of posterolateral thoracotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Besides other factors, the choice of reconstructive method for full thickness thoracic wall defects depends on the morbidity of preceding surgical procedures. The pedicled latissimus dorsi flap is a reliable and safe option for reconstruction of the thorax. A posterolateral thoracotomy, however, results in division of the muscle. Both parts of the muscle can be employed to close full thickness defects of the chest wall. The proximal part can be pedicled on the thoracodorsal vessels or the serratus branch; the distal part can be pedicled on paravertebral or intercostal perforators. This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the reconstructive potential of both parts of the latissimus dorsi in thoracic wall reconstruction after posterolateral thoracotomy. METHODS: Between 1987 and 1999, 36 consecutive patients underwent reconstruction of full-thickness thoracic wall defects with latissimus dorsi-flaps after posterolateral thoracotomies. The defects resulted from infection and open window thoracostomy (n=31), trauma (n=3) and resection of tumours (n=2). The patients' average age was 57 years (range 22-76 years). Twenty-five patients were male, 11 were female. In 31 cases the split latissimus dorsi alone was employed; in five cases additional flaps had to be used due to the size of the defects, additional intrathoracic problems or neighbouring defects. RESULTS: In 34 cases defect closure could be achieved without major complications. Empyema recurred in the pleural cavity in one case and one patient died of septicaemia. The 15 patients who had required a respirator in the preoperative phase could be extubated 4.8 days (average) after thoracic wall reconstruction. Postoperative hospital stay averaged 16 days. CONCLUSIONS: Different methods are available for reconstruction of full thickness defects of the thoracic wall. After posterolateral thoracotomy in the surgical treatment of empyema, oncologic surgery and traumatology, the latissimus dorsi muscle still retains some reconstructive potential. Advantages are low additional donor site morbidity and anatomical reliability. As it is located near the site of the defect, there is no need for additional surgical sites or intraoperative repositioning. In our service, the split latissimus dorsi muscle flap has proven to be a valuable and reliable option in thoracic wall reconstruction.     

Reconstruction of the upper extremity with a compound rib-latissimus dorsi osteomusculocutaneous flap.

The reliability and versatility of the pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle or osteomusculocutaneous flap make it our first choice in the management of upper arm injuries and we have treated three such patients in this way. They had severe skeletonising, crushing injuries of an upper extremity with humeral defects that were treated with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps and segments taken from the ribs. All the flaps survived completely with no injury of the pleura at the donor site. The reconstructed humerus was strong enough for the patients to participate in all activities of daily living. We think that this technique is suitable for the upper arm defects with humeral loss because of its simplicity and minimal morbidity.     

Reconstruction of the upper extremity with a compound rib-latissimus dorsi osteomusculocutaneous flap

The reliability and versatility of the pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle or osteomusculocutaneous flap make it our first choice in the management of upper arm injuries and we have treated three such patients in this way. They had severe skeletonising, crushing injuries of an upper extremity with humeral defects that were treated with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps and segments taken from the ribs. All the flaps survived completely with no injury of the pleura at the donor site. The reconstructed humerus was strong enough for the patients to participate in all activities of daily living. We think that this technique is suitable for the upper arm defects with humeral loss because of its simplicity and minimal morbidity.     

Chest wall reconstruction for recurrent breast cancer

Some recurrences of breast cancer require wide chest wall resection as curative or palliative therapy. We report a retrospective review of 14 chest wall resections and reconstructions. The width of the anterior chest wall excision was 150 cm(2) (80 to 360 cm(2)). Two defects were full-thickness ones, with sternal or costal resection. The reconstruction required synthetic mesh covered by a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. The 12 other resections were superficial ones, and have been covered by a skin graft in 5 patients, and by a regional flap in 7 patients (5 latissimus dorsi, 1 DIEP, and 1 bilobed flap). Two patients had a chest wall irradiation after the surgical procedure. We have analysed the factors, which had influenced our choice of the type of reconstruction. The reconstruction is performed by a regional flap, most commonly a latissimus dorsi pedicled flap, in case of full-thickness defect, of nodular isolated recurrence, or when a radiation therapy is provided after the surgical procedure. The coverage is made by a skin graft in case of palliative excision, or of multiple nodular chest wall recurrence (which have a high risk of recurrence in the same form).     

Free flaps for type III complex pharyngoesophageal defects after enlarged ablative surgery for advanced cancer of larynx and hypopharynx

Free tissue transfer has become a useful technique for reconstruction of type III complex pharyngoesophageal defects after enlarged laryngectomy and partial or total pharyngoesophageal resection. We present a retrospective analysis of our experience with 36 patients who received free flaps for reconstruction of complex pharyngoesophageal defects associated with skin and soft-tissue defects. Free fasciocutaneous flaps and jejunum combined with a deltopectoral flap and musculocutaneous pectoralis major flap, gastro-omental flap, and combined latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous and cutaneous scapular flaps were used for reconstruction. Adjuvant therapy included preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy. Free flap failure occurred in 2 of 36 patients. Twenty-eight patients had good swallowing function. Better results with fewer complications in reconstruction of type III complex pharyngoesophageal defects were obtained with the use of a combined latissimus dorsi and scapular flap.     

Clinical studies on reconstruction procedure of total layer chest wall resection

The results of clinical studies on 16 reconstruction procedure after total layer chest wall resection in 14 cases of malignant tumor of the chest wall were reported. The 14 cases consisted of two cases with recurrent primary chest wall tumor, two cases of primary breast cancer, seven cases of recurrent breast cancer, and others. The reconstruction procedure after total layer chest wall resection was conducted using only various myocutaneous flaps (eight cases using latissimus dorsi of the resected side, three cases using the abdominitis of the resected side, three cases using latissimus dorsi of the non-resected side, and two cases using a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap of the non-resected side). reconstruction only using a myocutaneous flap proved to be satisfactory for preventing early stage postoperative respiratory distress and maintaining the stability of the chest wall and respiratory function during prolonged observation. Namely, use of myocutaneous flap is the best approach of reconstruction the chest wall after total layer chest wall resection. We confirmed that reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap of the non-resected side with microvascular anastomosis of thoracodorsal vessels was useful for posterior chest wall tumors invading the latissimus dorsi muscle. Also, our results demonstrated the insertion of an omental flap under the myocutaneous flap was useful for cases with secondary chest wall infection or vascular damage caused by preoperative high dose irradiation.     

背阔肌肌皮瓣在前胸部肿瘤切除后皮肤缺损中的应用

目的探讨应用背阔肌肌皮瓣修复前胸部肿瘤切除后皮肤缺损的临床疗效。方法对28例前胸部皮肤肿瘤患者根据其性质切除肿瘤后,按皮肤肌肉缺损面积,设计背阔肌肌皮瓣转移至缺损区修复。结果28例患者相应的局部皮瓣转移修复至缺损区,术后皮瓣均全部成活,供受区切口均Ⅰ期愈合,随访3～24个月,效果满意。结论背阔肌肌皮瓣是临床上修复胸部肿瘤切除后皮肤缺损的实用而有效的方法。     

六例巨大胸壁缺损的修复

目的 探讨巨大胸壁缺损的修复方法.方法 2005年10月至2009年6月,为6例患者进行巨大胸壁缺损的修复,其中背阔肌肌皮瓣加钛网1例,逆行背阔肌肌皮瓣加聚丙烯网片和涤纶补片1例,游离股前外侧皮瓣1例,双侧胸大肌肌瓣1例,纵行腹直肌肌皮瓣2例.结果 随访1～24个月,皮瓣100%覆盖创面、皮瓣100%成活、心肺功能没有影响、外观满意;并发症:胸壁瘘管1例,胸壁窦道1例经再次清创愈合.结论 巨大胸壁缺损需要分层修复,胸廓缺损可以用鈦网或聚丙烯网片修补,软组织缺损根据部位、大小和范围及周围组织情况,选择不同的修复方法.背阔肌肌皮瓣组织量大、旋转弧度大、血供恒定、容易切取,可作为首选,胸大肌肌瓣、纵行腹直肌肌皮瓣或游离的股前外侧皮瓣,根据实际情况灵活掌握.     

应用带少许肌袖的背阔肌肌皮瓣修复下肢软组织缺损

目的探讨应用带少许肌袖的背阔肌肌皮瓣移植修复下肢软组织缺损的临床效果。方法2000年6月～2006年12月,应用带少许肌袖的背阔肌肌皮瓣移植修复8例下肢软组织缺损患者。男6例,女2例;年龄25～69岁。其中创面位于足跟3例,足背2例,胫前2例,右小腿鳞癌1例。软组织缺损范围10cm×7cm～18cm×12cm,皮瓣切取范围15cm×8cm～22cm×15cm。结果术后6例皮瓣成活;1例术后2h出现皮瓣血管危象,经探查重新吻合静脉,植皮后成活;1例胫前创面因骨髓炎感染,经引流后皮瓣成活。创面及供区均期愈合。8例患者获随访3～12个月。皮瓣外形满意,无臃肿。供区功能不受影响。结论应用带少许肌袖的背阔肌肌皮瓣移植是修复大面积肢体软组织缺损较为理想方法之一。     

Reconstructive methods of the antero-lateral thoracic wall after extensive surgery of invasive tumors

Local recurrence after conservative or enlarged surgery for breast carcinoma, or primary chest wall's tumors should first be approached surgically, chimio- and radiotherapy being used only later on. A precise local and general evaluation has to be made first, trying to determine whether there is or not an invasion of bony structures. When they are free of tumor, regional transfer of musculocutaneous flaps can usually cover the defect (latissimus dorsi, 1-2 rectus abdomini, pectoralis major); great omentum is used when this defect is too large. When ribs, sternum or deep structures are invaded, reconstruction uses successively: a mersilene mesh, bone cement, an omental flap covered with mesh skin grafts 2 days later. Surgical management of these difficult situations is most of the time only a palliative measure which gives these patients a better quality of life for the short time they still have got.     

Musculocutaneous flaps for repair of scar contracture of neck]

Twenty-four cases of scar contracture of neck were repaired with musculocutaneous flaps. Latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was used in 21 cases, latissimus dorsi-serratus anterior musculocutaneous flap in 2, and lower trapezius musculocutaneous flap in 1. All the flaps were alive with satisfactory functional results and shape. This simple method is also suitable for patients with scar contracture of armpit, anterior chest and lower lip.     

Reconstruction of full thickness chest wall defects.

Over the last 5 years, 14 patients were treated by wide en bloc resection of chest wall tumors with primary reconstruction. There were nine females and five male patients with an age range of 31-77 years. All patients had a skeletal resection of the chest wall. An average of 3.9 ribs were resected in the patients treated. In three patients a partial sternectomy was carried out in conjunction with the rib resections. Chest wall skeletal defects were reconstructed with Prolene mesh, which was placed under tension. Soft tissue reconstruction utilized selected portions of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous territory with fasciocutaneous extensions beyond the muscle itself. Primary healing was obtained in all patients and secondary procedures were not required. The average hospitalization was 23 days. All patients survived the resection and reconstruction and were alive 30 days after operation. In selected patients the preservation of a portion of the innervated muscle in situ or the transfer of the muscle with the preservation of its resting length has maintained the majority of the muscle function.     

One-stage reconstruction of facial paralysis associated with skin/soft tissue defects using latissimus dorsi compound flap.

Neurovascular free muscle transfer is now the mainstay for smile reconstruction in the treatment of established facial paralysis. Since facial paralysis due to ablative surgery or some specific disease sometimes accompanies defects of the facial skin and soft tissue, simultaneous reconstruction of defective tissues with facial reanimation is required. The present paper reports results for 16 patients who underwent reconstruction by simultaneous soft tissue flap transfer with latissimus dorsi muscle for smile reconstruction of the paralysed face. Soft tissue flaps comprised skin paddle overlying the latissimus dorsi muscle (n=6), serratus anterior musculocutaneous flap (n=5), serratus anterior muscle flap (n=2), and latissimus dorsi perforator-based flap with a small muscle cuff (n=3). The latissimus dorsi muscle can be elevated as a compound flap of various types, and thus offers the best option as a donor muscle for facial reanimation when soft tissue defects require simultaneous reconstruction.     

Expanded reduced latissimus dorsi flap

The reduced latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is a recently reported flap, consisting of a proximal musculocutaneous unit and a distal, thin fasciocutaneous or cutaneous unit. It can be used to obtain satisfactory contour of the recipient site. In cases where a larger and thinner flap is required, we employ pretransfer tissue expansion of the reduced latissimus dorsi flap. Application of the tissue expander appears to increase both the area and the vascularity of the flap. We have so far employed two pedicled and four free-expanded reduced latissimus dorsi flaps in the repair of a variety of defects. All of these flaps survived, and suitable contour, along with primary closure of the donor site, was obtained.     

Chest wall resection and reconstruction for locoregionally advanced or recurrent breast cancer

Ten patients, including 7 with local recurrent breast cancer, 2 with primary advanced cancer and 1 with radionecrosis, underwent chest wall resection and immediate reconstruction, using large pedicled skin flaps or musculocutaneous flaps. A rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap was used in 4 cases and a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was used in 1 case. The postoperative course of all the patients was uneventful and there was no incidence of flail chest or respiratory failure. The postoperative performance status and also the quality of life were improved in 9 of the 10 patients. Eight of the 10 patients are presently alive with or without disease, the longest survival time thus far being 8 years.