Clinical outcome of the latissimus dorsi muscle flap in orthopedic reconstruction

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION@#The latissimus dorsi muscle has been the “workhorse” of reconstructive surgery because of its predictable neurovascular anatomy and ability to perform both wound coverage and restoration of function. @*OBJECTIVES@#We determined the flap viability, complications, and muscle function (if used as muscle transfer) of our latissimus dorsi flaps for orthopedic reconstruction.@*METHODS@#This is a retrospective review of all cases done in the Microsurgery Unit of the Philippine General Hospital and The Medical City from January 2005 to present using the latissimus dorsi muscle for reconstructive surgery. All patients were followed-up for six months.@*RESULTS@#There were 14 patients who had reconstructive surgeries using the latissimus dorsi muscle. Three patients had traumatic brachial plexus injuries where the latissimus dorsi muscle was used for the reconstruction of elbow flexion. Eleven patients required coverage of a large defect, where seven were secondary to tumor resection and four were secondary to trauma. Of the fourteen patients, nine were pedicled flaps and five were free flaps. We had one failure (free flap group/tumor resection). The rest of the flaps survived completely. The smallest flap was 10 x 8 cm, and the largest flap was 28 x 24 cm.@*CONCLUSION@#The latissimus dorsi muscle remains to be a versatile muscle in the field of orthopedic reconstructive surgery.