title: Latissimus dorsi-scapula free flap for reconstruction of defects following radical maxillectomy with orbital exenteration.
abstract: A total of 21 patients with latissimus dorsi-scapula free flap reconstruction immediately following radical maxillectomy together with orbital exenteration are presented. Orbital exenteration was performed in all patients due to tumour invasion at the time of diagnosis. There was no total flap failure. Two tissue components subdivided into separate flap units with individual vascular pedicles linked by a single vascular source provide an ideal reconstructive solution for massive defects of the mid-face and orbit. Separate arcs of rotation of each flap unit permit greater mobility necessary for complex three-dimensional reconstruction. A vertically positioned angle of the scapula enables simultaneous reconstruction of the malar eminence and alveolar ridge whereas spontaneous intraoral epithelialisation of the latissimus dorsi muscle requires no additional procedure. For these reasons, in our opinion, combined latissimus dorsi-scapula free flap should be considered the first choice in reconstruction of defects following total maxillectomy with orbital exenteration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Maribor General Hospital, Maribor, Slovenia. dkosutic@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kosutic
authors.forename: Vedran
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Uglesic
authors.forename: Predrag
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knezevic
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milenovic
authors.forename: Miso
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Virag
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005147:Facial Bones; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D017233:Orbit Evisceration; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps