Reconstruction of Tissue defects With Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Flap: Our Experience of 18 Cases.

Abstract

At Sheikh Zayed Hospital we reconstructed 18 large tissue defects in various anatomical areas within a period of 2 years from March 93 to April 95. The tissue defects were created as a result of excision of tumor, excision of radio necrosed areas, traumatic exposure of bones or fracture sites. As the facility of microscope did not exist in Sheikh Zayed Hospital during this time, all Latissimus Dorsi flaps were used as pedicled flaps taking advantage of tis wide area of rotation. In 18 consecutive flaps we did not have complete loss of flap only partial failure 25% of one flap. Flaps were mostly done as myocutaneous units for the reconstruction of head and neck region after tumor excision. Of the 18 flaps 13 (72.2%) were used to reconstruct head and neck area, 8 flaps (44.4%) for extra oral sites and 5 (27.75%) for intra oral reconstruction. 3 (16.6%) for chest wall reconstruction and 2 (11.1%) flaps were used to cover the exposed fracture sites around elbow. All flaps survived except one partial loss. Our experience is presented in this paper.