[Myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flaps for covering defects in local recurrences of breast cancers or radiation ulcers].

The pedicled myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap is suitable for covering defects following excision of breast cancer recurrencies or irradiation ulcerations. From its bed it may be extended as far as to the shoulder, the axilla, neck and to the chin. We report on experiences on 12 patients with local breast cancer recurrencies or radiation ulcers. The defects were: 8 times thoracic, twice axillary and one each on the upper arm and supraclavicular area. They could always be covered without tissue tension. Complications occurred with 3 marginal or partial flap necroses with secondary wound healing. All other flaps healed primarily. Flap beds could almost always be closed directly. All patients were free from recurrencies during the follow-up period. The procedure meets the standards of radical tumour surgery, is safe even in poorly vascularised soft tissue areas, and yields acceptable cosmetic results.