Objective To evaluate the feasibil ity and cl inical significance of the computed tomography angiography (CTA) for the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) flap transplantation. Methods From September 2007 to August 2008, 3 cases of soft tissue defects in l imbs were treated with LDM flap transplantation. Three patients included 2 males and 1 female whowere 23 to 42 years old. All of soft tissue defects were caused by trauma. The locations were the forearm in 2 cases and the leg in 1 case. The area of defect was 17 cm × 8 cm-20 cm × 10 cm. All cases received CTA to observe the distribution and anastomosis of thoracodorsal artery. Subsequently, three-dimensional computer reconstruction were carried out to display the stereoscopic structure of the LDM flap and to design the LDM flap before operation. Results The anatomy characteristic of LDM flap can be displayed accurately by the three-dimensional reconstruction model. The distribution of thoracodorsal artery in 3 cases of flaps was in concordance with preoperative design completely. All the flaps were excised successfully, the area of the flap was 19 cm × 10 cm-22 cm × 12 cm. All the transferred flaps survived completely. All cases were followed up from 4 months to 12 months. The color and texture of the flaps were good. Conclusion The three-dimensional reconstructive images can provide visible, stereoscopic and dynamic anatomy for cl inical appl ication of LDM flap. The digitized three-dimensional reconstructive models of LDM flap structures can be appl ied in cl inical training and pre-operative design.
Objective To explore the clinical effect of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with a few muscle in repairing the soft tissue defect of lower limbs. Methods From June 2000 to December 2006, 8 patients with soft tissue defects of lower limbs were repaired with the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged from 2569 years. The locations were heel in 3 cases, dorsum pedis in 2 cases, anticnemion in 2 cases, and the right leg (squamous carcinoma) in 1 case. The area of soft defect ranged from 10 cm×7 cm～18 cm×12 cm. The flap in size ranged from 15 cm×8 cm to 22 cm×15 cm. Results Of all the flaps,6 survived,1 had vascular necrosis 2 hours after operation and survived by skin grafts, 1 had delayed healing because of infection. The wound and donor site achieved primary healing. The followup for 3 to 12 months revealed that all the flaps had a good appearance. The function of donor site was as normal. Conclusion It is an ideal method to repair the softtissue defect of lower limbs with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap.
Objective To observe an early result after the repair of the large upper thoracic wall defect by a combined use of the titaniumnet, reconstruction nickelclad, and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in a patient who underwent a breast sarcomatoid caricinoma resection on the upper thoracic wall. Methods A breast sarcomatoid carcinoma in the upper thoracic wall was removed in 1 56yearold female patient in February 2006. After the tumorectomy, a large thoracic wall defect was left, which was 20cm×15cm in size. The defect was covered by the titanium net, the bilateral stumps of the clavicles were connected by the reconstruction nickelclad, and the soft tissue defect was repaired with the right latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap(20cm×15cm). Results The patient depended on the breathing machine for 3 days after operation. When the breathing machine was discontinued, the patient developed a severe paradoxical breathing. Two weeks after operation when theblood circulation of the flap was stabilized, the paradoxical breathing disappeared with the help of the chest bandage for fixation of the chest cavity, and the blood supply of the flap was improved. The chest X-ray film showed that the titanium net and the reconstruction nickelclad were well positioned. The patient received chemotherapy 1 month after operation, The follow-up for 3 months revealed that the patient’s local condition and physical condition were good, and ROMof both the shoulders was improved, with AF 90° and ABD 90°. No recurrence ofthe tumor was found. Conclusion A large thoracic wall defect should be repaired with solid materials. The normal anatomic locations of the clavicles should be maintained with fixation by the reconstruction nickelclad for a good function of the shoulders. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can be properly enlarged.
Form April 1991 to August 1994, ten cases of extensive soft tissue injury of the extremities with bone and tendons exposed were treated by emergency transfer of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. The types of the myocutaneous flap were as follows: with vascular pedicle in 1 case, free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in 8 cases,and transfer of combined bilateral latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps in 1 case. There were 8 males and 2 females with the ages ranging from 7 to 44 years (an average of 24.4 years). The operations were all performed within 6 hours after trauma except in 1 case, due to its delayed arrival to our hospital, the operation was carried out 14 days after trauma. The results were as follows: total survival of the flap in 6 cases, necrosis of the distal portion of the skin of the flap in 3 cases and necrosis of a greater portion of the skin in one case who had been subjected the transfer of combined bilateral latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. but the deep muscle layerwas intact. However, the result was encouraging. The operative technique and the advantages of emergency coverage of the wound were discussed.
Transplantation of composite latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and vascularized fibula was performed primarily to repair the tibial defects in 12 cases and radial defects in 2 cases, both of which were associated with large-sized skin defects. The peroneal artery and vein of the fibula were anastomosed to the circumflex scapular artery and vein of the myocutaneous flap, the subscapular artery and vein, as the common vascular pedicle of the two transplants, are anastomosed to the nutrient vessels in the recipient site. Cross-bridge vascular anastomosis was used in 13 cases . All of tfe transplanted tissues survived, Follow-up revealed a good growthof the transplanted flaps, solid union between the transplanted fibulas and the host bones, and the good functional recovery of the repaired extremities. The operative indication and technique were introduced, ahd the merit of the repair ahd reliability of the cross-bridge procedure were discussed.
Objective To evaluate the value of extended latissimus dorsi flap (ELDF) in immediate breast reconstruction in patients with breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy. Methods Thirty-six patients with breast cancer who accepted modified radical mastectomy and 12 patients with breast cancer who accepted immediate breast reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy from January 2008 to June 2009 were included. The complications, cosmetical results and quality of life of these patients were compared. The shape of breast reconstruction was also evaluated. Results All of 12 patients succeeded in proceeding immediate breast reconstruction with ELDF. The evaluation of shape of breast reconstruction was good in 6 cases, secondary in 4 cases, and bad in 2 cases, which was beyond that in patients of radical operation group (Plt;0.001). There was no statistical difference in operation complications as hydrops, necrosis, affecting limb shoulder joint motion, drainage time, hospital stay, and starting time for adjuvant therapy between two groups (Pgt;0.05). The patients in breast reconstruction group had a better quality of life compared with the patients in radical operation group (Plt;0.001). In breast reconstruction group, 10 patients received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and no necrosis was showed in local flap grafting. After the follow-up of 2-17 months (median 8 months), no local recurrence and metastasis was demonstrated in two groups patients. Conclusions There are good cosmetic results after immediate breast reconstruction with ELDF, and it is easy to operate. It is a safe and feasible therapeutics method for early breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of immediate breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after nipple and areola sparing modified radical mastectomy for patients with early-middle breast cancer. MethodsSixty patients diagnosed with early-middle breast cancer by needle biopsy from November 2009 to October 2012 in this hospital were divided into two groups according to the surgical method.The breast reconstruction group (30 cases) were performed immediate breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after nipple and areola sparing modified radical mastectomy, the control group (30 cases) were performed traditional modified radical mastectomy.The postoperative complications, clinical efficacy, quality of life, and recurrence and metastasis were compared in two groups. Results①The ipsilateral breast was completely missing in the control group.The aesthetic effect in the breast reconstruction group was satisfactory including excellent in 22 patients, good in 7 patients, general in 1 patient.②The rates of flaps effusion, flap necrosis, and affectied limb activity limitation had no significant differences in two groups (P > 0.05).The wound healing time, operation area drainage time, hospital stay, and post-operative chemotherapy start time all had no significant differences in two groups (P > 0.05).③The frequency of psycho-logical pressure (inferiority/anxiety/fear) and rate of un-satisfaction of secondary sexual characteristics (body/curve) in the breast reconstruction group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001).The rate of social interaction fitness in the breast reconstruction group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001).④The following-up time was 12 to 38 months with an average 25 months, one case died because of brain metastasis in the control group, the rest 59 patients had no local recurrence and distant metastasis. ConclusionsThe immediate breast reconstruction with exte-nded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap after nipple and areola sparing modified radical mastectomy can cure cancer on the basis of satisfactory cosmetic results of breast, excellent quality of life of patients, and fewer surgical complica-tions.It does not affect postoperative adjuvant radiochemotherapy and short-and long-term efficacy for breast cancer.