Soft Tissue Defects of Neck and Shoulder Managed by Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Transthoracic Transposition

Abstract

\n BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in repairing neck and shoulder soft tissue defects combined with infection.MethodsA total of 11 patients with neck and shoulder soft tissue defects combined with infection, from July 2017 to December 2019, were treated by pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (PLDMF) in our department. There were 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 40.2±12.6 years. The mean defect size after debridement was (7.0±1.3) cm × (4.8±1.2) cm, and the average size of the flaps was (34.4±3.8) cm × (6.0±1.0) cm. The donor site was sutured directly. The postoperative blood supply in the transferred flap and function recovery of the affected limb were retrospectively collected and analyzed.ResultsSeven cases obtained direct healed without significant complications. Four cases developed postoperative infections at the distal ends of the skin flaps, and they were successfully treated by anti-infection treatment and repeated dressing changes. All patients were regularly followed up with an average of 17.3±3.8 months, satisfactory results with good flap blood supply and limb function were achieved in all patients, and no recurrence of infection was observed. ConclusionsPLDMF is a practically alternative treatment for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects combined with infection in neck and shoulder, including advantages of high survival rate, satisfactory functional recovery, and clinical practicality. However, surgical indications should be taken into account due to the inferior aesthetic appearance, especially for young female.