Transposition of modified latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in the treatment of persistent bronchopleural fistula after posterolateral incision

The condition of a 51-year-old man was complicated with empyema and bronchopleural fistula (BPF) after left upper lobectomy and thoracoplasty for pulmonary aspergillosis. On the postoperative day (POD) 12, the opened bronchial stump was directly closed and covered with a pedicled pectoralis major muscle flap. On POD 66, an open-window thoracostomy was done, because of empyema with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two years later, we could fill the empyema cavity, and close the multiple BPFs with the transposition of a modified pedicled musculocutaneous (MC) flap and the additional thoracoplasty to gain good quality of life. Although the MC flap was a proximal part of the latissimus dorsi muscle, which was dissected along the posterolateral incision of the first operation, it could be successfully transplanted to cover the BPFs in the open-window. In some patients with a small open-window on the upper anterior chest wall, the pedicled proximal latissimus dorsi MC flap may be very useful for treating persistent BPFs even after a standard posterolateral incision.     

New options in breast reconstructive surgery: alternatives to the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap

Transposition of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is still considered by most authors a first-choice technique for breast reconstruction. However, the aesthetic drawbacks of the technique are significant: In our experience the posterior scar and the "patchlike" skin island are of concern to more than 30% of patients. Recent alternatives have sharply reduced the use of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap as our first-choice technique. The utilization of a latissimus dorsi muscular flap in association with submuscular placement of a tissue expander is now our favorite technique for the majority of patients: Residual scarring is insignificant since the whole muscle can be raised through a 5-7-cm-long, S-shaped incision placed along the anterior border of the latissimus dorsi. The results obtained in a group of 35 patients demonstrate that the final results of the procedure in terms of shape and projection of the reconstructed breasts are absolutely similar to those obtained using the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. However, in patients with heavy body structure and large contralateral breast, satisfactory symmetry and a natural-looking reconstructed breast are obtained more effectively by transposition of a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. The precautions to be taken in order to make the procedure suitable for over-weight patients are described and the results are discussed.     

背阔肌肌皮瓣修复头颈部软组织缺损

目的：研究背阔肌肌皮瓣在修补头颈部大面积软组织缺损中所起的重要作用。方法：我科采用带蒂或游离的背阔肌肌皮瓣修补治疗6例颈前烧伤瘢痕挛缩畸形和3例因肿瘤切除或外伤而造成大面积软组织缺损的患者。结果：6例颈前区烧伤患者术后背阔肌肌皮瓣存活,仅一例背阔肌肌瓣远端有部分坏死,患者的颈部活动和外形得到明显的改善。3例头面部软组织缺损采用游离的背阔肌肌皮瓣修复后面部外形良好。结论可供面积较大,血管蒂位置恒定的背阔肌肌皮瓣适用于头颈部大面积的软组织缺损的修复。     

Abdominal aorta as a recipient artery: Using a free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to close hip and pelvic defects

INTRODUCTIONFree tissue transfer (FTT) is now a common procedure in many surgical centres around the world and it has shown well established results especially in the field of reconstructive surgery. The choice of FTT depends on the size of defect, nature of tissue, length of pedicle and donor site morbidity. Notwithstanding, FTT is complex and always depending on a sufficient recipient vessel.PRESENTATION OF CASEHerein, we report a case in which the abdominal aorta was used as arterial recipient vessel for microvascular transfer of a free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. It was utilized to reconstruct an extensive pelvic and hip defect following a massive gas gangrene with a prior debridement of other potential recipient vessels.DISCUSSIONIn this case, the patient had a large defect that demanded a choice of a large flap such as the free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The iliac system has been sacrificed during the debridement procedure together with other potential recipient vessels. In the presented case, arterial anastomosis of the free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was performed to the distal part of the aorta without complications.CONCLUSIONUsing the abdominal aorta as a recipient arterial vessel seems to be a reliable alternative that should be considered in difficult reconstructive scenarios such as the “vessel-depleted” pelvis.     

Gastric tube-to-tracheal fistula closed with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap.

A gastric tube-to-airway fistula is a very rare complication after esophageal reconstruction. A patient with a gastric tube-to-tracheal fistula that developed more than 9 years after surgery for cancer of the cervical esophagus was treated with transposition of a pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Careful perioperative respiratory management helped save the patient's life.     

Bronchopleural fistula repair using combined breast parenchymal and pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap

A technique is reported for repair of a bronchopleural fistula and obliteration of an empyema cavity using a combined breast parenchymal and expanded, musculocutaneous pectoralis major flap. An empyema after right upper lobectomy and radiation for squamous cell carcinoma developed in a 53-year-old woman. After debridement, a bronchopleural fistula was noted. Her latissimus dorsi muscle was divided during the initial thoracotomy. Local and free flaps were considered. Her breast contained the largest volume of tissue available as she weighed 80 pounds. This report illustrates the use of a tissue-expanded, combined breast and musculocutaneous pectoralis flap in the management of a difficult problem.     

背阔肌肌皮瓣移植急诊修复肢体软组织缺损

１９９１年４月～１９９４年８月，急诊治疗１０例肢体大面积损伤伴骨骨各、肌腱裸露患者，采用带血管蒂背阔肌肌皮瓣移位修复１例，游离背阔肌肌皮瓣移植修复６例，游离双侧背阔肌肌皮瓣组合移植修复３例。移植肌皮瓣完全成活６例，远端皮肤部分坏死３例，大部分皮肤坏死１例，但肌瓣均全部成活。有２例发生轻微感染，换药后愈合。介绍了手术方法，讨论了手术适应证及急诊修复创面的优点等。     

应用瓦合式游离背阔肌肌皮瓣修复面中部肿瘤切除术后洞穿性缺损

目的：探讨应用瓦合式游离背阔肌肌皮瓣修复面中部皮肤恶性肿瘤切除术后洞穿性缺损的方法。方法：对下睑、内眦等面中部复发肿瘤进行扩大根治切除。对于切除肿瘤后形成的洞穿性缺损,应用瓦合式游离背阔肌肌皮瓣进行修复。结果：应用瓦合式游离背阔肌肌皮瓣修复面中部皮肤恶性肿瘤切除术后洞穿性缺损9例,肌皮瓣全部成活,外形良好。术后半年复查未见局部复发。3例患者于术后半年接受皮瓣去脂术。结论：应用瓦合式游离背阔肌肌皮瓣修复面中部皮肤恶性肿瘤切除术后洞穿性缺损成功率高,可达到功能和外形同时修复的效果。     

New options in breast reconstructive surgery: Alternatives to the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap

Transposition of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is still considered by most authors a first-choice technique for breast reconstruction. However, the aesthetic drawbacks of the technique are significant: In our experience the posterior scar and the patchlike skin island are of concern to more than 30% of patients. Recent alternatives have sharply reduced the use of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap as our first-choice technique. The utilization of a latissimus dorsi muscular flap in association with submuscular placement of a tissue expander is now our favorite technique for the majority of patients: Residual scarring is insignificant since the whole muscle can be raised through a 5–7-cm-long, S-shaped incision placed along the anterior border of the latissimus dorsi. The results obtained in a group of 35 patients demonstrate that the final results of the procedure in terms of shape and projection of the reconstructed breasts are absolutely similar to those obtained using the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. However, in patients with heavy body structure and large contralateral breast, satisfactory symmetry and a natural-looking reconstructed breast are obtained more effectively by transposition of a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. The precautions to be taken in order to make the procedure suitable for overweight patients are described and the results are discussed.     

急诊显微外科修复肢体复杂组织缺损

目的：报道急诊复合组织游离移植和游离组织组合移植修复肢体复杂组织缺损的临床效果。方法：组织移植包括单侧背阔肌肌皮瓣游离移植、带蒂转移，废弃肢体复合组织瓣游离移植，带伸趾肌腱足背皮瓣游离移植，背阔肌肌皮瓣与腓骨组合移植，以及双侧背阔肌肌皮瓣组合移植等。结果：移植组织共３０例，其中完全成活２４例，部分皮肤坏死经换药后愈合５例，失败１例。经８～１８个月随访，所有经修复的肢体均保留或恢复了有用的功能。结论：急诊显微外科修复组织缺损是可行、安全和有效的。     

Poland's Syndrome: Improved Surgical Management

Single-stage reconstruction of the chest wall combined with simultaneous augmentation mammoplasty and transfer of an island pedicle myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi muscle are major improvements over previous multiple-stage procedures that provide less satisfactory cosmetic results in management of patients with Poland's syndrome. Utilization of the single-stage technique in 2 patients demonstrated its efficacy as proven by excellent cosmetic results. In 1 patient with absent second, third, and fourth costal cartilages and ribs, Marlex mesh covered with a synthetic dura mater graft was employed to stabilize the chest wall. Simultaneously, an island pedicle myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi with its neurovascular bundle preserved was transferred to cover the prosthesis. The other patient had a coexistent pectus carinatum defect, which was repaired by resection of the costal cartilages and osteotomy of the sternum without use of Marlex. The breast implant was covered concomitantly with the myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi. No morbidity or mortality occurred. The cosmetic and functional results are superior to those obtained with standard techniques.     

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.     

Reconstruction of the form and function of lateral malleolus and ankle joint

Soft-tissue reconstruction alone cannot obtain normal ankle function in patients with large defects in the area of the lateral malleolus. The authors report a functional reconstructive method for the lateral malleolus, utilized in a male patient whose osteosarcoma in the fibula was resected with surrounding soft tissue. In order to reconstruct the lateral malleolus, the remaining half of the fibula at the knee was removed, and the fibular head was fixed with the tibia at the ankle joint. Ligaments were reconstructed with tendon grafts. Skin and soft-tissue defects were reconstructed with a combined composite flap comprised of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and a serratus anterior muscle flap. Dead space around the bone graft was filled with the serratus anterior muscle flap that was divided into two portions. The surface was covered with the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The patient regained almost normal function of the ankle joint. This technique would be a useful functional reconstructive method for patients with large defects in the area of the lateral malleolus.     

Cranial-bone defects with depression deformity treated with ceramic implants and free-flap transfers.

Hydroxyapatite ceramic has many advantages in the treatment of cranial-bone defects. However, for large skull defects with severe depression deformities, it may be risky to use ceramic implants because an extradural dead space will be left and the overlying scalp will have to be closed under tension. In these cases microvascular free-flap transfers are a good solution. We have treated three patients for large skull defects with severe depression deformities after repeated local infections and several operations or irradiation. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was combined with a serratus anterior muscle flap to fill the extradural space under the ceramic implant in the first patient. A latissimus dorsi muscle flap was inserted under the ceramic implant in an irradiated site and a combined small serratus anterior muscle flap was used as a monitor in the second patient. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used to cover the ceramic implant and fill the scalp defect in the third patient. The follow-up periods varied from 12 to 35 months (mean: 20.7 months). The clinical courses of all three patients were uneventful and no flap was lost. The extradural space can be reduced to some extent by making the ceramic implant slightly flatter or thicker, but in patients with severe depression deformities, whose brain expansion cannot be expected, a muscle flap should be transferred into the space.     

Pedicled myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi muscle for reconstruction of anterior and middle skull defects: an alternative

Three cases are presented demonstrating the use of a pedicled myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct large defects of the anterior and middle skull after ablative surgery for carcinoma. This method is proposed as an alternative to reconstruction with a free myocutaneous flap in selected patients.     

Management of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural-cutaneous fistula with a single free flap.

A variety of local flaps have been described for chest wall and bronchopleural fistula reconstruction. When local options cannot be used because of previous surgery, trauma, radiation, or body habitus, free flaps become an acceptable option. The authors report a case of persistent bronchopleural-cutaneous fistula treated with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap that obliterated the right chest cavity, closed the site of empyema drainage, and aided healing of a bronchopleural fistula. Surgical technique including anastomosis to the innominate vein is described.     

Use of pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to reconstruct the upper limb with large soft tissue defects

ObjectiveTo report the technique of reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects in the upper extremity using pedicled latissimus dorsi myocu-taneous flaps.MethodsSix patients with large skin and soft tissue defects were included in this report. There were 5 trauma patients and the rest one needed to receive plastic surgery for his extremity scar. All wounds were in the upper extremity. The sizes of defects ranged from 15 cmx6 cm to 30 cmx18 cm. Pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were designed according to the defect area and raised with part of latissi-mus dorsi. The thoracodorsal artery and its perforators were carefully protected during surgery.ResultsAll flaps healed primarily without flap congestion, margin necrosis or infection. The skin donor sites either received split-thickness skin graft (3 cases, mostly from the anterior thigh) or was closed primarily (3 cases) and had minimal morbidity. Follow-up of 6-12 months showed that the contour of flap was aesthetic and the function of limb was excellent.ConclusionOur experience indicates that the pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is favorable for reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects in the upper extremity.     

扩张背阔肌节段肌皮瓣治疗前胸部广泛瘢痕挛缩

目的探讨扩张背阔肌节段肌皮瓣在前胸部广泛瘢痕挛缩畸形中的应用价值。方法2010年10月至2012年10月,对8例（11侧）前胸部广泛瘢痕挛缩患者应用扩张背阔肌节段肌皮瓣进行修复。治疗分两期,Ⅰ期：术前超声定位胸背动脉外侧支肌皮穿支的体表投影,设计含有胸背动脉外侧支肌皮穿支的背阔肌前缘节段肌束的胸背部皮瓣,分离腔隙后,放置扩张器,扩张器注水4~6个月;Ⅱ期：胸部瘢痕松解、切除,乳腺组织复位,以胸背动脉主干或外侧支为蒂,背阔肌扩张节段肌皮瓣转移修复。结果所有皮瓣全部成活,供区可直接缝合。随访3~20个月,皮瓣质地柔软,色泽与胸部接近。术后患侧肩关节内收、内旋、后伸力量无明显减弱,背部无明显凹陷畸形,女性患者乳房形态满意。结论应用背阔肌节段肌皮瓣预扩张术修复前胸部广泛瘢痕挛缩畸形,是一种较为理想的治疗手段,值得推广。     

The folded double paddled free flap for oral cavity reconstruction

Summary Six radial forearm flaps, two transverse rectus abdominis flaps and one latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were used in a bipaddled fashion for full thickness defects of the cheek and the floor of the mouth resulting from cancer resection. The flaps provided both intraoral lining and skin cover in all cases. Immediate reconstruction was carried out following tumor resection in six cases. In three patients who presented with large full thickness defects due to failure of primary reconstruction, late reconstruction with double paddled free flaps was performed. All transfers were successful, in the latissimus dorsi transfer a minimal area of necrosis occurred at the tip of the flap. A salivary fistula developed in two cases, both healed spontaneously up to three weeks postoperatively. The average operating time was 5.5 h; the average hospital stay was 13.4 days.