[Clinical application of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with a few muscle in repairing soft tissue defect of lower limbs].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical effect of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with a few muscle in repairing the soft tissue defect of lower limbs.


METHODS
From June 2000 to December 2006, 8 patients with soft tissue defects of lower limbs were repaired with the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged from 25-69 years. The locations were heel in 3 cases, dorsum pedis in 2 cases, anticnemion in 2 cases, and the right leg (squamous carcinoma) in 1 case. The area of soft defect ranged from 10 cm x 7 cm - 18 cm x 12 cm. The flap in size ranged from 15 cm x 8 cm to 22 cm x 15 cm.


RESULTS
Of all the flaps, 6 survived, 1 had vascular necrosis 2 hours after operation and survived by skin grafts, 1 had delayed healing because of infection. The wound and, donor site achieved primary healing. The follow-up for 3 to 12 months revealed that all the flaps had a good appearance. The function of donor site was as normal.


CONCLUSIONS
It is an ideal method to repair the soft tissue defect of lower limbs with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap.
Cao
Dongsheng
D
Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Anhui, 230022, PR China. cdsh912@sohu.com
Sheng
Hui
H
Wang
Chunlan
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome