title: The latissimus dorsi flap--still a valuable tool in breast reconstruction: report of 32 cases.
abstract: Breast reconstruction with a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap (LDF), with or without implants, is an established method. At the Breast Cancer Unit, Huddinge University Hospital, 32 patients with soft tissue deficiencies of the chest such as damaged skin or lack of pectoral muscle after the initial operation, or complications of radiotherapy had breasts reconstructed with a pedicled LDF during the years 2002-2004. We made a retrospective assessment of the results of this procedure, which showed that the pedicled LDF, usually combined with an implant, still should be considered as an option to microsurgery as it is safe, with great satisfaction and few complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Catharina.Eriksen@karolinska.se
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007902:Length of Stay; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires