• K Knobloch, C Herold, and P M Vogt.
• Plastische Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Med. Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland. Knobloch.karsten@mh-hannover.de
• Oper Orthop Traumatol. 2012 Apr 1; 24 (2): 122-30.

ObjectiveSustainable and durable soft tissue coverage at the lower extremity following trauma, tumor resections, sequelae of radiation therapy or osteomyelitis using free latissimus dorsi muscle transfer is provided by a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap.IndicationsSoft tissue defects at the lower extremity following trauma, tumor resections, and sequelae of radiation therapy or osteomyelitis.ContraindicationsThoracotomy with incision of the latissimus dorsi muscle; a relative contraindication in wheelchair drivers as well as in overhead athletes due to potential diminished strength and shoulder proprioception following latissimus dorsi muscle transplantation.Surgical TechniqueUnder general anesthesia the patient is positioned laterally, and a substantial and meticulous debridement of the defect is performed, as is the identification and preparation of the target vessel, which is preferentially the posterior tibial artery at the calf, or more proximally the popliteal or femoral artery from the medial side as well as concomitant veins/the great saphenous vein. A tailored latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is harvested with subsequent microsurgical anastomosis to the target vessel with preferential end-to-side anastomosis of the artery and end-to-end anastomosis of one or two veins.Postoperative ManagementA 24-h intermediate care unit, clinical flap monitoring for at least 5-7 days, dangling of the flap using an elastic bandage for an initial 3  times  5 min starting on POD 7, compression stockings for at least 6 months subsequently.ResultsFrom 2001-2007 75 free latissimus dorsi flaps were performed (53 ± 17 years) for soft tissue coverage at the lower extremity. In 58% the target vessel was the posterior tibial artery, in 11% the femoral artery, in 8% the anterior tibial artery and in 8% the popliteal artery. In 15% an arteriovenous (AV) loop was applied. Overall free flap survival was 95%. We encountered four total flap losses, exclusively in complex reconstructions with AV-loop situations.

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