J Korean Assoc Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2011 Nov;33(6):549-558.

Anatomical Review of Latissimus Dorsi Free Flap for Oral Cavity and Facial Reconstruction

• Kim SM
• Jung YE
• Eo MY
• Kang JY
• Seo MH
• Kim HS
• Myoung H
• Lee JH

Abstract

The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) was initially described at the turn of the century by Tansini et al, and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap (LDMFF) was also first described for the coverage of a chronically infected scalp by Maxwell et al. As a pedicled flap, LDMF has been often used for breast reconstruction and for soft tissue replacement near the shoulder and the lower reaches of the head and neck. LDMFF is a flat and broad soft tissue flap with large-caliber thoracodorsal vessels for microvascular anastomosis. A skin paddle of the LDMFF can be more than 20x40 cm, so very large defects in the oral cavity and outer facial region can be covered by this LDMFF. Other advantages include consistent vascular anatomy, acceptable donor site morbidity and the ability to perform simultaneous flap harvest with tumor resection. For a better understanding of LDMFF as a routine reconstructive procedure in large defects of the oral cavity and facial legion, anatomical findings must be learned and memorized by young doctors during the special curriculum periods for the Korean national board of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This review article discusses the anatomical basis of LDMFF with Korean language.

Keyword

Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF); Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap (LDMFF); Thoracodorsal artery; Microvascular anastomosis

MeSH Terms

Curriculum
Female
Free Tissue Flaps
Head
Humans
Mammaplasty
Mouth
Neck
Scalp
Shoulder
Skin
Surgery, Oral
Surgical Flaps
Tissue Donors