Pedicled myocutaneous and muscle flaps in the management of complicated cardiothoracic problems.
The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the management of patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems by the use of pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps, and discuss the various methods of reconstruction. Over the last 11 years, we have treated 54 patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems by reconstruction with pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps. The underlying causes were chest wall tumours (n = 13), radionecrosis of the chest wall (n = 12), deep or chronic sternal infections (n = 25), and bronchopleural fistulas (n = 4). The most commonly used muscles for reconstruction were pectoralis major and the rectus abdominis. Our results compare favourably with those reported elsewhere. We conclude that although the use of pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps is not free of complications, it is an effective and reliable method for the management of patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems.
Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece. Dosiosth@internet.gr
Theodosios
T
Dosios
Othon
O
Papadopoulos
Dimitrios
D
Mantas
Panagis
P
Georgiou
Panayotis
P
Asimacopoulos
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery*