Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Register      Login

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 3 ( December, 2010 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Upper extremity resurfacing via an expanded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneus flap for large circumferential defects: the “spiral” reconstruction technique

Shahram Nazerani, Mohammad Hosein Kalantar Motamedi, Mohammad Reza Keramati, Tara Nazerani

Keywords : Expanded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneus flap, Circumferential defects, Reconstruction

Citation Information : Nazerani S, Motamedi MH, Keramati MR, Nazerani T. Upper extremity resurfacing via an expanded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneus flap for large circumferential defects: the “spiral” reconstruction technique. 2010; 5 (3):115-120.

DOI: 10.1007/s11751-010-0090-z

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Published Online: 01-01-2020

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2010; The Author(s).


Abstract

We present an expanded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneus (LDMC) flap to treat circumferential upper extremity defects via resurfacing and “spiral reconstruction” in 5 patients during a 17-year period. Five patients with different indications for tissue expansion from burns to congenital hairy nevi were operated. The expansion was done in a longitudinal direction, and a rectangular tissue expander (TE) was inserted under the LD muscle to expand the flap in a longitudinal direction thereby forming a “long” flap rather than a “wide” one. After excising the circumferential lesion, the expanded “elongated” flap was wrapped spirally around the extremity to cover the defect; the donor site was closed as usual. The 5 patients we treated via LDMC flaps in a spiral fashion were free of complications, and all were satisfied with the outcome. All the flaps survived and the spiral reconstruction allowed for a tension-free donor site closure and near complete recipient coverage. This technique is indicated for large circumferential extremity skin defects and deformities. Application of expanded LDMC flaps in a spiral fashion can be used by the reconstructive surgeon to resurface large circumferential upper extremity lesions when indicated. The idea of a long and thinned expansion flap must be in a longitudinal direction and we need this long expanded and thin flap to “spiral” it around the extremity to cover a large defect. The “spiral” flap coverage introduced here for large circumferential extremity defects enables the surgeon to cover the defect with simultaneous donor site closure and good results.


PDF Share
  1. Nazerani S, Motamedi MH (2008) Reconstruction of hair-bearing areas of the head and face in patients with burns. Eplasty 8:e41
  2. Voulliaume D, Chichery A, Chekaroua K, Comparin JP, Foyatier JL (2007) Tissue expansion in surgical treatment of burn scars of the scalp. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 52(6):590-599 (Epub 2007)
  3. Wax MK, Kim J, Ducic Y (2007) Update on major reconstruction of the head and neck. Arch Facial Plast Surg 9:392-399
  4. Zaal LH, van der Horst CM (2007) Results of the early use of tissue expansion for giant congenital melanocytic naevi on the scalp and face. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg [Epub ahead of print]
  5. Simon E, Dumont T, Stricker C, Chassagne JF (2007) A simple tissue expansion device for scalp defect. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac 108:234-237
  6. Fan J, Yang P (1997) Aesthetic reconstruction of burn alopecia by using expanded hair-bearing scalp flaps. Aesthetic Plast Surg 21:440-444
  7. Lee Y, Gil MS, Hong JJ (2000) Histomorphologic changes of hair follicles in human expander. Plast Reconstr Surg 105(7):2361- 2365
  8. Adler N, Dorafshar AH, Bauer BS, Hoadley S, Tournell M (2009) Tissue expander infections in pediatric patients: management and outcomes. Plast Reconstr Surg 124:484-489
  9. Mortazavi SH, Motamedi MH (2007) Congential fusion of the jaws. Indian J Pediatr 74(4):416-418
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.