Summary
Major upper arm amputations are often accompanied by different levels of soft-tissue
divisions involving crushing, traction, and avulsion injuries to various structures.
In these cases the goal is not only the re-establishment of circulation, but also
functional outcome. Some patients require further reconstruction for functional restoration
of elbow flexion and additional soft tissue coverage.
Five patients underwent functional latissimus dorsi transfer for restoration of elbow
flexion after successful upper arm replantation at our institution. The transfer was
unipolar in four patients and bipolar in one. The patients’ ages ranged from seven
to 55 years. The time period between replantation and transfer ranged from two weeks
to 12 months.
All flaps healed well with minimal donor site morbidity. At mean 43-month follow-up
(range: 22–65 months), functional results were good with M4 in three patients and
M3 in two patients for elbow flexion.
The pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a valuable tool to restore elbow flexion
and provide coverage of soft tissue defects after major upper arm replantations.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 25, 2007
Accepted:
November 12,
2006
Received:
September 17,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
