Reverse turnover pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap for lower back reconstruction: Two case reports

Reverse Turnover Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap for the Repair of Radiation Ulcer in the Back: A Case Report

Cases of radioactive back ulcers caused by radiation therapy have not been reported. This paper reports a matter of a 55-year-old male patient suffering from chronic back radiation ulcer after coronary stent implantation. Through the repeated and complete expansion of the rear radiation ulcer wound, the back radiation ulcer wound was successfully repaired with the reverse turnover pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap, and the clinical effect was satisfactory.

A Novel Technique to Lengthen the Reverse Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap Arc

Reconstruction of the lower lumbar region is challenging for surgeons due to limited locoregional flap choices. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a mainstay for this area; however, there are several limitations, including that the dominant thoracodorsal artery and vein pedicle-based flaps are not reachable for reconstruction of the lumbar region, while perforator of intercostal artery and veins pedicle-based reverse latissimus dorsi (RLD) flap mobility is limited by including multiple perforators. Here, we describe a novel operative technique that lengthens the rotation arc of RLD muscle flaps. The surgical technique is as follows: RLD is elevated based on lower perforator of intercostal artery and veins (usually including two of the eighth–11th perforators); thoracodorsal artery and vein are ligated; and the flap is mobilized toward the defect. When RLD was not reachable to the defect, the far aspect of the intercostal artery and vein from the defect was ligated and the perforator was elevated with the near aspect of the intercostal artery and vein from intercostal space. Because the intercostal space measured between approximately 3 cm and 4 cm, this dissection gained 3–4 cm of rotational arc per intercostal space. Moreover, because the lower ribs follow a medio-cranial to latero-caudal direction, this dissection enabled the flap to extend latero-caudally or medio-cranially while maintaining its blood supply. Other applications using this technique may involve expanding the RLD flap arc caudally, ventrally, and ipsilaterally. We believe this new technique provides a reliable alternative for lower back reconstruction.

Large Diaphragm Defect Reconstruction Using Reverse Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap

Surgical treatment of bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is difficult. A 47-year-old woman presented with a cough with yellow yielding sputum due to BBF. The patient had the adhesion of the liver, diaphragm, and lung. We performed liver, diaphragm, and lung resections. Patient had a large defect of diaphragm. Diaphragm reconstruction was performed using a pedicled reverse latissimus dorsi muscle flap. No flap necrosis was observed. Seven months after surgery, the patient did not present yellow yielding sputum and the BBF was not observed in the computed tomography. This surgical procedure was useful for treating the diaphragm defect both safely and easily. We believe that the reverse pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a reliable alternative for large diaphragm reconstruction after severe BBF.