Volume Prediction of Extended Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap for Breast Reconstruction Using a Computed Tomography Volume-Rendering Technique with an X-ray Contrast Thread Marking.

BACKGROUND: The extended latissimus dorsi (ELD) musculocutaneous flap is one of the surgical techniques used for breast reconstruction. Preoperative preparation to determine the exact amount of flap tissue to be harvested is important to achieve a good outcome with autologous tissue reconstruction. However, few reports exist on objective preoperative volume prediction of ELD flaps. The purpose of this study was to quantify the elevated ELD volume as a preoperative plan. METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate or delayed breast reconstruction with ELD flap after mastectomy between March 2015 and January 2022 are included. (1) The ELD flap was designed preoperatively, X-ray contrast thread was applied along the design, and CT imaging was performed in the same lateral supine position as the surgical position. 3D images were constructed, and the volume-rendering method was used to obtain the integrated volume. (2) Intraoperative ELD flap volume was calculated using the water displacement method. The correlation between (1) and (2) was examined. RESULTS: (1) The mean preoperative predicted value was 290.2 mL and (2) the mean intraoperative ELD flap volume was 298.3 mL. The correlation coefficient between the two volumes was 0.93, indicating that they were correlated. CONCLUSION: We could quantify the ELD flap volume using the volume-rendering method with X-ray contrast threads. This study could be a useful method for preoperative prediction planning of the ELD flap in breast reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Comparison of Patients Satisfaction with Direct to Implant versus Latissimus Dorsi Flap with Implant Breast Reconstruction Using Breast-Q.

Background The latissimus musculocutaneous flap (LD flap) is a useful option for breast reconstruction following mastectomy. It has the advantage of obtaining sufficient tissue padding and natural shape by using autologous tissue. However, with the emergence of the skin-sparing mastectomy technique and artificial dermis matrix, direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction has become the first choice of surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the satisfaction levels of patients who underwent DTI and LD flap with implant using patient-reported Breast-Q results. Methods A retrospective study was performed reviewing the records of 49 women who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with DTI or LD flap with implant and responded to the BREAST-Q questionnaire after the operation. The patient-reported breast-Q results were analyzed and correlated to the demographic information and intraoperative information. Results A total of 26 patients who underwent reconstruction with LD flap with implant and 23 patients with DTI were identified and responded to the questionnaire after an average of 32.3 and 10.4 months postoperation, respectively. According to the patient response to the breast-q values, satisfaction with breast was 60.0 and 57.0 points, psychosocial well-being 61.0 and 60.0 points, and sexual well-being 41.0 and 43.0 points in the two groups. Overall, there was no significant difference in the breast-Q score between the two groups. Conclusion Patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction seemed equally satisfied with the appearance and outcome of their breast reconstruction compared with LD flap with implant. Therefore, it appears that DTI is adequately replacing LD with implant.

Reconstruction of Large Soft Tissue Defects in the Distal Lower Extremity: Free Chain-Linked Bilateral Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flaps versus Extended Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flaps.

Background: Reconstruction of the large soft-tissue defects in the lower extremity still constitutes a challenge for plastic surgeons. This retrospective study was conducted to compare the surgical and clinical outcomes of the chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps and extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of the large soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2021, 34 patients aged between 20 and 66 years received chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps (15 cases) or extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps (19 cases) for the reconstruction of extensive soft-tissue defects in the lower extremity. The two groups were homogeneous in terms of age, etiology, comorbidities, and flap area. In addition, the intraoperative data, outcomes, complications, and long-term follow-up results were collected and analyzed. Results: The extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap group had a shorter operation time (271.8 ± 59.5 min vs. 429.6 ± 51.9 min), harvest time (58.9 ± 24.8 min vs. 152.7 ± 41.4 min), and anastomosis time (27.2 ± 10.4 min vs. 53.7 ± 8.1 min) than the chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps group (p < 0.05). Based on patient self-assessment, the donor site temporary muscle weakness in the extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap group was significantly more than that in the chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both methods can repair large defects and restore the function of the injured limbs at a single stage. However, considering the operation time and flap-harvesting time, the authors recommend the extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, especially for those who cannot tolerate a prolonged surgery.

Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap repair is effective after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcome and physical condition of patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap repair. METHODS: A retrospective review of 142 patients with locally advanced breast cancer was selected from 1156 breast cancer patients in the South and North areas of The Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University between May 2008 and December 2018. RESULTS: All participants (n = 142) were women aged 40-55 years (average age 47.35 ± 0.43 years) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and latissimus dorsi flap repair. The median follow-up period was 16 months (range 12-24 months). For stage of disease, there were 19 cases (13%) in stage IIB, 31 cases (22%) in stage IIIA, 39 cases (28%) in stage IIIB, and 53 cases (37%) in stage IIIC, which were statistically significant with the physical condition of patients (≤ 0.001). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to shrink the tumors, and an average tumor size decrease from 10.05 ± 1.59 cm × (8.07 ± 1.54) cm to 6.11 ± 1.72 cm × (3.91 ± 1.52) cm (P < 0.001) was considered statistically significant. A t test was used for the ECOG score statistics, and the results showed that the scores were statistically significant (≤ 0.001) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an accepted treatment option for patients with locally advanced breast cancer, and the use of a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for post-mastectomy reconstruction may improve the patients' physical condition. Our results indicated that this strategy was safe and feasible.

Salvage of Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infection in the Distal Thigh Using Free Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) in the distal thigh is a rare wound; thus, little is known about which muscle flaps are the most useful and cause less lower extremity morbidity in such cases. Moreover, very few reliable muscle flaps are available around the distal thigh. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 72-year-old woman suffering from a distal thigh wound with PVGI. The graft was successfully preserved after coverage with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (LDM) flap. CONCLUSIONS: The free LDM flap procedure is more challenging than local muscle flaps; however, a free LDM flap can be a feasible option for a distal thigh wound with PVGI with the advantage of the maintenance of walking capability by preserving the lower-limb muscles.

Use of Abnobaviscum to treat refractory seroma after breast reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi flap: A case report

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the rate of refractory donor site seroma, defined as seroma that persists for at least 3 months postoperatively, as the number of breast reconstructions using a latissimus dorsi (LD) musculocutaneous flap has increased. Various factors have been proposed to be related, including smoking, obesity, flap mass, and body weight, and several studies have been conducted to explore treatment methods. Typically, surgical treatment, such as capsulectomy, has been considered for refractory seroma, but in this case report, we describe positive outcomes achieved by using Abnobaviscum to treat three female patients who developed a donor site seroma at least 3 months after breast reconstruction using an LD flap.

Application of latissimus dorsi flap and thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in different wounds / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To explore the application and choice of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in different wound repair.@*Methods@#From March 2012 to February 2018, 8 cases of different wounds were repaired with island latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap pedicled with dorsal thoracic artery, free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, or thoracodorsal artery perforator flap combined with scapular flap. The patients includes 4 cases of trauma, 2 cases of tumor and 2 cases of osteomyelitis. Among them, 5 cases received pedicled grafting, 2 cases had anastomotic vascular free grafting combined with antibiotic bone cement chain bead, 1 case had thoracodorsal artery perforator flap combined with scapular flap.@*Results@#All 9 flaps of 8 patients survived. The size of the flaps ranged from 22.0 cm×7.5 cm to 28.0 cm×21.0 cm. All the donor and recipient areas healed well. After 2 months to 2 years follow up, all flaps have good blood supply, and the limbs′ function was normal. The appearance of flaps were satisfactory, with fully treated osteomyelitis, and no recurrence of the tumor was observed.@*Conclusions@#According to wound characteristics, selective application of thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, pedicled or free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is effective for the repair of muscle, skin and soft tissue defects, as well as osteomyelitis, after tumor resection.

Optimized reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects with common soft-tissue free flaps / 口腔疾病防治

@#Severe tissue defects in the oral and maxillofacial region are commonly caused by tumor resection and trauma and can impair physiological function and aesthetics in patients. Applying a soft-tissue free flap transfer may avoid exposing important blood vessels and nerves and restore basic anatomical structures and facial features. However, the outcomes of soft-tissue free flap transfer have tended to be unsatisfactory because of the exquisite anatomical structure and complicated functions of the oral and maxillofacial region. Therefore, it is clinically important to choose a proper reconstructive method based on specific tissue defects and to optimize the processes involved in the designing and harvesting of soft-tissue free flaps. In this review, we summarize the application of soft-tissue free flaps in oral and maxillofacial defects and strategies for optimizing the quality of tissue reconstruction.

Latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for repairing severe soft tissue defect of the elbow / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To explore the effect of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for repairing severe soft tissue defect of the elbow.Methods Seventeen patients with severe soft tissue defect of the elbow were repaired by latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap.Ten patients were performed transfer of skin flap for functional reconstruction,9 patients reconstructed elbow flexion,and 1 patient reconstructed elbow extension.Seven patients' tissue defect were repaired by cover type musculocutaneous flap,and the areas of these flaps ranged from 6 cm × 10 cm-12 cm × 27 cm.Results All the musculocutaneous flaps kept alive.After an average postoperative follow-up for 12-40(22.0 ± 9.6) months,the color and luster of the flaps were satisfying.There were no scar contracture of the flap and no bulkiness of the elbow.Ten patients performed transfer of skin flap for functional reconstruction,and the range of motion was 100°-140° of flexion and-20°-0° of extension.Muscle power was M3-M5.Hand function was near normal.Conclusion Latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is an ideal surgical method to repair the severe soft tissue defect of the elbow.

Comparison of the therapeutic effect between immediate breast re-construction with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after modified radical mastectomy and conventional modified radical operation on breast cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effect of immediate breast reconstruction using latissimus dorsi musculocutane-ous flap after modified radical mastectomy with the conventional modified radical surgery of breast cancer. Methods:A retrospec-tive analysis of 224 female patients with Stage 0 to IIIA breast cancer was conducted. The patients were admitted to the Department of Breast Surgery of Liuzhou People's Hospital between November 2009 and July 2012. The cases were divided into two groups accord-ing to different surgical options:immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) and modified radical surgery of the breast (MRSB). After con-trastive analyses of the postoperative complications, cosmetic results, quality of life, local failure rate, distant metastases and mortality rates between the two groups, the therapeutic efficiency of the two surgeries was evaluated. Results:No statistical differences were ob-served in the postoperative complications between the two groups, such as hydrops, skin flap necrosis, limb exercise and shoulder joint motion, drainage time, and starting time of adjuvant therapy (P>0.05). The patients in the IBR group had a better quality of life than those in the MRSB group (P0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the tradi-tional MRSB group, the option of IBR after modified radical mastectomy not only achieves similar therapeutic outcomes but also pres-ents advantages such as better aesthetic effect of the reconstructed breast, easy surgical procedures, high safety, improvement of the breast contour outline, and improved quality of life after operation. Therefore, IBR is a safe and available therapeutic method for pa-tients with early breast cancer.

V-Y Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Radiation-induced Skin Injuries on the Back

PURPOSE: Cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures using fluoroscopy were performed for the treatment of supraventricular and selected ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Fluoroscopy is used to localize the position of the intracardiac catheter. Fluoroscopically- guided procedures often involve high radiation doses to patient's skin, but the incidence of serious radiation injuries in these patients is rare. We reported two cases of severe postradiation skin injury on the back treated with the V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. METHODS: These two patients underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation under the diagnosis of Woff Parkinson White syndrome(WPW syndrome). They had radiation- induced skin injuries on the subscapular area and these lesions represented chronic ulceration, surrounding induration, hardness, and dyspigmentation. We treated these lesions with complete excision and coverage with V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. RESULTS: These two patients had no recurrence and no special complications during 20 months and 12 months follow-up periods and were satisfied aesthetically and functionally. CONCLUSION: V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap obtained better results functionally and aesthetically compared with conservative management and skin graft in severe radiation-induced skin injuries after cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure.

The three Dimensional Facial Reconstruction of Maxillary Defects using Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Free Flaps

Surgical reconstruction of malignancies of the head and neck often leave large defects that demands reconstruction. A maxillectomy defect creates a communication from oral cavity to nasal cavity that may extend to the orbit. This can leave a large anatomical defect that invades surrounding anatomical boundaries including the oral cavity, nasal cavity, orbital cavity, soft tissues of the face, and anterior skull base. Surgical repair of maxillary defects has been widely reported. Skin graft, local and regional flaps such as local mucosal flaps, buccal fat pad, temporalis muscle and pectoralis major muscle pedicled flaps, and free tissue transfer can be used depending largely on the size of the defect. We performed facial reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap for covering large defects that involved exposed orbit, nasal, and oral cavities in seven patients after total maxillectomy for maxillary cancer. One case was immediate reconstruction and the others were secondary reconstruction during the follow up period after primary cancer surgery. The skin of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was pliable and its texture was similar to that of the face. The muscle bulkiness was sufficient to reconstruct the soft tissue of the intraoral and nasal lining and external skin deficits. All flaps had survived and serious complications were not developed. None of the patients need secondary defatting procedures later for the excessive bulkiness, but oronasal fistulas developed in two patients and one patient had cicatrical ectropion of lower eyelid. All donor defects were closed primarily and there has been no noticeable residual functional problems or discomfort in the shoulder area.