Clinical experience with the lateral thoracodorsal flap in breast reconstruction

The lateral thoracodorsal flap is a local fasciocutaneous flap used for breast reconstruction. From 1986 to 1994 the authors used this flap in 157 breast reconstructions in 152 patients. The patients who had been treated with postmastectomy radiotherapy (N = 40) had significantly more (p < 0.01) early complications, such as necrosis and infection. Irradiated patients also required more operations due to secondary complications, such as capsular contracture (p < 0.05). A patient questionnaire (response rate, 91%) was sent to 121 patients and showed that, although a majority of patients felt the reconstructed breast was less sensitive to touch and harder than the contralateral breast, they still regarded the reconstructed breast as a natural part of themselves. More than 90% of patients did not regret the reconstruction and 80% would recommend it to a friend.