[Coverage an irradiated wound of the lower lumbar area with a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap by lengthening the vascular pedicle with interpositional vein grafts]

Use of the Propeller Lumbar Perforator Flap: A Series of 32 Cases

Lumbosacral substance defect is a challenge in reconstructive surgery because few coverage solutions are available in this anatomical region. Lumbar artery perforator flaps (LAPs) have been progressively developed and make it possible to solve very complex situations. We report a multicenter study on LAP performed to treat medium and low lumbar defects of various etiologies, to highlight the versatility of this flap as well as its robustness and reproducibility.

Methods

Between 2012 and 2019, 32 LAPs were performed in the Toulouse and Strasbourg University hospitals. Etiologies of the defects encountered were diverse: chronic wounds following neurosurgery, oncodermatology, burn sequelae, and ballistic injury. All LAPs were used in their pedicled form, turned as propeller, and combined or not with other flaps.

Results

We treated 31 patients with 32 LAPs. Average flap size was 14.3 cm (range 8-26) × 6.5 cm (range 5-10), and average arc of rotation was 131.3 degrees (range 70-180 degrees). Only 4 patients (12.9%) presented partial necrosis, but required no other covering procedure because secondary healing was sufficient. No coverage failure was reported. Average follow-up duration was 9.7 months (range 1-18).

Conclusions

In the case of lumbosacral defects of various etiologies, propeller LAP is a reliable and efficient surgical procedure, offering the advantage of low donor site morbidity. The reconstructive surgeon should propose this technique to patients as a first-line option where surgery is indicated.

[Latissimus dorsi flap in reconstruction following treatment of giant tumor of the abdominal wall: about a rare case]

We report the case of a 16-year old patient presenting with giant, multinodular, mesenchymal tumor of the abdominal wall occupying the left abdominal region and measuring 25 cm on the vertical axis, 20 cm on the transverse axis, mobile when compared with the deep structures and gradually increasing in volume over childhood and neglected. After small biopsy, which showed desmoid tumor, the patient underwent complete surgical resection of the tumor with immediate reconstruction by free muscolo skin flap of the latissimus dorsi attached to the large blood vessels of the inguinal fold (left iliac artery and left external iliac vein), connected by termino lateral anastomosis. Flap survival was correctly performed and reconstruction was successful.

[Free tissue transfers with lengthening of vascular pedicle using interpositional vein grafts. About 10 cases]

The realization of free flaps with lack of reliable vessels nearby the loss of substance is a difficult problem for plastic surgeons. We report 10 cases of free tissue transfers with a one-stage technique lengthening the vascular pedicle of the free flap with interpositional vein grafts. Taking into consideration the good results and the low rate of morbidity, the authors emphasize the use of this technique rather than a two-stage procedure.

[Combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior reverse flow pedicle flap. Report of two clinical cases]

The use of combined flap involving the distally based latissimus dorsi muscle pedicled on the lumber perforating arteries and prolonged by the last digitations of the serratus anterior flap muscle supplied by the thoracic branch of thoracodorsal vessels is uncommon but has ever been described. We describe the use of this flap in two original cases. The first case is for coverage of a controlateral dorsal radionecrosis. The second case describes its use in emergency following ballistic chest trauma.

[Bilateral latissimus dorsi V-Y musculocutaneous rotation flap for closure of a large dorsal radionecrosis. Geometric analysis and interest. About one case]

Reconstruction of a large dorsal radionecrosis with bilateral latissimus dorsi V-Y musculocutaneous flaps is reported. This procedure provides a reliable, well-vascularized soft-tissue coverage. Geometric analysis and differences between V-Y advancement flap and V-Y rotation flap are discussed.