title: The latissimus dorsi flap in head and neck reconstructive surgery: a review of 121 procedures.
abstract: The results of a prospective study of 121 latissimus dorsi flaps performed during head and neck reconstructive surgery at the Royal Marsden Hospital are presented. Three-quarters of the flaps were pedicled and one-quarter were free. All the patients underwent surgery for malignant disease. The flap failure rate was 5%, other flap related complications occurred in 19% and the overall rate of complications was 26%. Previous radiotherapy, site of reconstruction, type of flap (free or pedicled) and age of the patient were not significant risk factors. Men were more likely to have a complication than women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Nield
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Garth
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Breach
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps