The intramuscular neurovascular anatomy of the latissimus dorsi muscle: the basis for splitting the flap.

This study identifies and describes a consistent proximal branching of the neurovascular supply to the latissimus dorsi muscle. This anatomical feature makes possible splitting the muscle and overlying cutaneous territory into independent branched musculocutaneous units. A parallel study of neurovascular anatomy in dogs suggests that this animal is an appropriate model for testing and developing clinical applications of the split latissimus dorsi flap.