title: Late results and current indications of latissimus dorsi breast reconstructions.
abstract: One hundred and fifty latissimus dorsi flaps were used in 145 patients out of a series of 483 breast reconstructions performed from 1977 to 1988. There were few immediate complications and a durable, good cosmetic result was obtained in two-thirds of the 103 cases reviewed after at least one year. The main reasons for dissatisfaction with long-term results were capsular contracture (grades III and IV) and upper displacement of the implant. The rate of these late complications was 30%, the same as found in the simpler subpectoral reconstruction. However, prostheses with a thick outer envelope induced only 10% of severe capsular contracture. Reconstructions with autologous tissue are currently replacing latissimus dorsi flap reconstructions unless local or general conditions contraindicate such major surgery or when the patient lacks motivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Brussels Free University, Brugmann Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Mey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lejour
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Declety
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Meythiaz
mesh_terms: D001415:Back; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D009132:Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods