Outcome of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Chest Wall Reconstruction in Rajavithi Hospital
Lokejareonlarb, S.; Chamalerk, P.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 100(Suppl 1): S157-S164
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 29927557 Document Number: 17443
Latissimus Dorsi flap (LD flap) has been used since the eighteenth century to cover large chest wall defects after total mastectomy and is thought to be superior to split thickness skin graft in terms of both cosmetic results and functionality. The outcomes and complications resulting from the use of LD flap reconstruction for large breast cancer are not well documented in Thailand. To describe a technique using the Latissimus Dorsi musculocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction. The outcomes, complications and length of stay after operation were also reported. Between 2009 and 2014, fifty-five patients with large breast cancer with skin involvement were The eleven patients with LD flap for breast reconstruction had a mean age of 53.82±14.50 years (range 33 to 81). All tumors were T4 lesions, and the mean tumor size was 15 cm. Average body mass index (BMI) was 23.83±4.18 kg/m2, hematocrit (Hct) was 34.90±4.06% and albumin (Alb) was 3.68±1.03 mg/dl. Three patients had diabetes mellitus and two had hypertension. Six of these LD flap patients had the following postoperative complications: wound infections (36.36%); wound dehiscence (27.27%); seroma (18.18%); and partial flap loss (27.27%). No patient had total flap loss. Mean drainage durations of chest and axillary were 7.73 day and 8.09 days respectively, and mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was LD flap is a safe option for autologous breast reconstruction, although donor-site complications are often