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Updated: Jun 16, 2025
Engineered Vascularized Muscle Flap
Published on: January 11, 2016
Use of Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap for Reconstruction of Soft-tissue Defect in a 2-month-old Infant with
Madhubari Vathulya1, Arush Pasricha1, Balija Satya Sree2
1Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Insights
The latissimus dorsi muscle flap successfully reconstructed a large back defect in an infant following rhabdomyosarcoma removal. This case highlights the flap
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Surgical oncology
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
Background:
- The latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a common method for reconstructing defects.
- Its application in infants for large defect reconstruction is not well-documented.
Observation:
- A 2-month-old infant with a large back defect resulting from rhabdomyosarcoma excision was treated.
- The defect was reconstructed using a latissimus dorsi muscle flap.
Findings:
- The latissimus dorsi muscle flap reconstruction was technically successful.
- The infant experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of using latissimus dorsi muscle flaps in infants for extensive defect coverage.
- It expands the reconstructive options for pediatric surgical oncology patients.
Abstract:
The latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a robust option for reconstructing defects over the back, but the use of this flap in infants is not widely documented. We did this flap to cover a defect that was created after wide local excision of a rhabdomyosarcoma on the back of a 2-month-old infant. Reconstructive surgery was completed successfully, and postoperative recovery was uneventful.
