OBJECTIVE To determine the reliability of pedicled latissimus dorsi flap for reconstruction of extensive defects around the elbow in terms of flap survival and coverage of exposed bones, vessels or nerves. STUDY DESIGN Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, from February 2003 to January 2008. METHODOLOGY Patients...

BACKGROUND Use of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap in combination with alloplastic devices has been proven to be a safe method of breast reconstruction. However, preoperative irradiation increases the complication rate and thus some consider preoperative radiotherapy a relative contraindication to alloplastic alone reconstruction. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients w...

INTRODUCTION Numerous pedicle and free flaps have been used to cover complex defects of the shoulder girdle and posterior neck triangle following tumor resection. We describe our choice of flap selection in these patients with case examples. PRESENTATION OF CASES Three cases examples demonstrate our choice of flap selection. In the first case, an anterior shoulder girdle defect is covered by ...

Alternative techniques for pedicle transfer of a reverse radial forearm flap for hand coverage, and a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for pelvic wound coverage, are illustrated. Exteriorization of the vascular pedicle of a reverse radial forearm flap allows a greater arc of movement of the flap for more distal coverage, and avoids the potential vascular compromise of tunnelling under a ...

We will describe a second phase of breast reconstruction on a young girl suffering from Poland syndrome. She has the breast, pectoralis major and minor muscle aplasia on the right side. She has no other deformities. The best result is achieved by combining latissimus dorsi flap and a silicone implant, and even better aesthetic result is accomplished with endoscopically assisted latissimus dorsi...

BACKGROUND The use of neuromuscular blocking agents has previously been suggested to facilitate the dissection of the latissimus dorsi muscle during breast reconstructive surgery. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of deep muscle relaxation on the force required to lift the latissimus dorsi muscle during flap preparation. METHODS After ethics approval and written informed con...

BACKGROUND Surgery for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is often technically risky. The choice of immediate thoracoplasty or muscle flap plombage to prevent postoperative space problems remains controversial. This study focused on the use of muscle flaps to prevent postoperative complications. METHODS During an 8-year period (2004 to 2012), all patients surgically treated for chronic pulmonary...

Soft tissue coverage after the resection of a large malignant peripheral neural sheath tumor (MPNST) is a challenge. We report the successful reconstruction of an extensive shoulder defect after MPNST resection in a patient with a type 1 neurofibromatosis with a novel combination of flaps. A 70-year-old man with type 1 neurofibromatosis presented with a recurrent MPNST on his right shoulder. He...

Extensive defects of the scalp and forehead associated with calvarial bone resections demand complex reconstructions. Free flaps offer vascularized tissue of excellent quality and quantity. We report six patients with extensive scalp and forehead defects associated with calvarial bone resections reconstructed with free flaps. Five patients also required a cranioplasty. The flaps used were two a...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) used to be the standard practice for breast reconstruction; however, with the increased use of tissue expanders and the development of the transverse rectus-abdominis myocutaneous flap for autologous tissue breast reconstruction, its use has decreased. To reassess the role of the LDMF in breast reconstruction, a prospective st...