Latissimus dorsi flap: a valuable resource in lower arm reconstruction

Lower arm reconstruction of soft tissue defects and after ablation for cancer leaves the reconstructive surgeon few alternatives. We have used latissimus dorsi muscle (n = 1) and musculocutaneous flaps (n = 3) with good functional and cosmetic results. Defects in one patient with traumatic amputation, another with extravasation of doxorubicin, and two with cancer were closed without complications to donor site, recipient site, or flap. Skin paddle size averaged 182 sq cm in the three musculocutaneous flaps. Mean follow-up was six months.