Latissimus dorsi free flap transfer for repair of complex wounds：the complete tissue and functional reconstruction / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:With the development of microsurgical techniques, free flap transplantation has been widely used, which can solve the problem of insufficient local tissues. OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effects of latissimus dorsi free flap transfer on the repair of al kinds of body surface defects, as wel as the role in complete tissue and functional reconstruction. METHODS:From 2010 to 2013, 18 cases of various types of body surface defects were selected and using the microsurgical techniques, these complex wounds were repaired with free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. According to defect reason, primary wounds were treated for arteriovenous separation in the recipient zone. Most of the flaps were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps at the affected side which were cut according to the wound size. If the cut muscle flap had a larger size and secondary wounds were difficult to be directly sutured, free skin grafts could be used to cover the residual secondary wounds. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After transplantation, al the flaps survived with normal blood supply and wel-recovered function. Patients were more satisfied with the flap appearance. Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps characterized as large donor area and secluded location have a great advantage in the repair of complex wounds using microsurgical techniques that can improve the survival rate of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps.