title: Modified lateral thoracodorsal flap: a way out of a difficult problem.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast deformities, often attributable to surgical mutilations as a result of mammary carcinoma treatment, still are a challenge to plastic surgeons. Interesting alternatives for the frequently used musculocutaneous flaps are local flaps such as the lateral thoracodorsal flap developed by Holmström in 1986. This flap is simple to raise and involves no sacrifice of important muscular structures. This report aims to demonstrate the use of the modified lateral thoracodorsal flap in an immediate mammary reconstruction for a patient who refused any other scar.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case report describes a patient presenting with breast cancer after reduction mammaplasty who was treated with a skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Satisfactory defect correction was accomplished with adequate silicone implant covering and a natural ptotic breast shape.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The versatility of this flap and its simple execution make it an important option for diverse breast reconstruction situations. The lateral thoracodorsal flap provides aesthetic results similar to those with other reconstruction methods, but without major complexity. The authors believe that it could be an interesting tool for the treatment of a breast anomaly.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Fluminense de Cirurgia Plástica, Plastic Surgery, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.forename: Gisela H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.forename: Narayana P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Serpa
authors.forename: André R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Monte
authors.forename: Carlos L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Collado
authors.forename: Fabio N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps