title: Balloon assisted endoscopic harvest of the latissimus dorsi muscle.
abstract: In this study, we present our experience with balloon assisted endoscopic harvest of the latissimus dorsi muscle for extremity reconstruction. The balloon performs most of the dissection under the muscle and creates the optical work space used in the endoscopic dissection. Over the course of this series the operative time has been reduced and averaged 2 hours and 44 minutes. The reconstructive goals were met in all cases. The average axillary incision length was 5.6 cm, and there were an average of 1.3 one-centimeter or smaller counter incisions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery, Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Karp
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kasabian
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eidelman
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hausman
mesh_terms: D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods