Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to restore elbow flexion and axillary burn contracture: a report on two pediatric patients.
The transposition of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is described in 2 pediatric patients: one with complete loss of elbow flexion, and the other with severe axillary burn contracture. A simplified, secure, one-stage reconstruction with the myocutaneous flap resulted in an excellent substitute of biceps function and skin coverage. The axillary reconstruction allowed immediate full over-the-head abduction, without recurrence of the contracture. In any nonforcible shoulder activity, the function of the latissimus dorsi muscle will not be missed, because of the numerous substitute muscles.
D001365:Axilla; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013524:Surgical Flaps