title: Repair of major defects of the chest wall and spine with the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap.
abstract: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is a remarkably durable and versatile flap. Flap necrosis did not occur in any of our patients. One can safely carry with it skin segments as narrow as 3 cm, or as wide as 30 cm. In addition to the 5 cases presented, we have used the flap to repair axillary burn contractures, for breast reconstruction after a transverse incision, and for coverage of the upper arm and shoulder. The applications of this flap challenge the creative imagination of the surgeon and allow a simplified reconstruction, compared to other good methods. The newly described posterior advancement of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is suggested as the preferred method to repair meningomyelocele defects.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000601:surgery*; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013903:Thoracic Surgery; D013909:Thorax / Q000601:surgery*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous