title: [Repairing the defects in the chest, back and axilla with a split-breast flap].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a method to repair the defects after the secondary tumor excision and radiation ulcer in the chest, back and axilla.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients, with the defects after the secondary tumor excision and the radiation ulcer in the chest, back and axilla, were undergoing the treatment. A "T" shape incision or up-side-down "T" shape incision was designed above the breast or along the inframammary fold below breast, just close to the defect. A split-breast flap was raised above the pectoralis major or deep fascia. The defect was then repaired with a rotating and advancing way.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients were repaired in one stage. Blood circulation of the flaps was abundant except one with distal edge necrosis. The ptosis breast was corrected and the fullness of the chest wall was also achieved. But, the Nipple of the opposite health breast was lost the original position to the lateral or medial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above-mentioned technique may be an efficient method to repair the defects after the secondary tumor excision and radiation ulcer in the chest, back and axilla. It is adapt to the old patients whose health is worse, but it is not good for the young patients resulted from the injury breast.
authors.affiliation: Department of plastic surgery, Henan provincial hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China.
authors.forename: Shen-song
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Zheng-wen
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: Yan-tang
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hai-yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery; D001415:Back / Q000601:surgery; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D013909:Thorax; D016896:Treatment Outcome