BACKGROUND Use of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap in combination with alloplastic devices has been proven to be a safe method of breast reconstruction. However, preoperative irradiation increases the complication rate and thus some consider preoperative radiotherapy a relative contraindication to alloplastic alone reconstruction. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients w...

BACKGROUND The fixation of the tendon to the bone remains a challenging problem in the latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable cuff tears and can lead to unsatisfactory results. A new arthroscopic method of tendon to bone fixation using an interference screw has been developed and the purpose of this study was to compare its biomechanical properties to the ones of a standard fixation t...

The study was conducted to evaluate the viability and healing process of a pedicled latissimus dorsi muscular flap for use as an implant for herniorrhaphy in canine diaphragmatic muscle. After a three month acclimatization period, twelve clinically healthy mongrel dogs, of both sexes weighing 10 to 20 kg were induced with an iatrogenic diaphragmatic defect and divided into three groups A, B & C...

A 62-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for operation for Aspergillus empyema with a fungus ball in the right upper lobe. We performed a right upper lobectomy and decortication of the middle and lower lobes through a standard posterolateral thoracotomy with dissection of the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscles, in October 2000. Twenty-one days postoperatively (POD), he develo...

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of caregiver knowledge and experience on muscle activity and perceived exertion while repositioning bedridden patients. Subjects were 40- to 65-year-old female caregivers divided into novice and experienced groups. Subjects from both groups performed home-care repositioning techniques on bedridden patients while muscle activity was recorded vi...

To understand if a non invasive determination of blood flow to the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle (LDM) could be used as an indirect index of muscle viability, we postoperatively measured the thoracodorsal artery (IDA) blood flow variations during latissimus dorsi stimulation in 4 patients who had a cardiomyoplasty. The TDA was in all cases identified by a characteristic biphasic blood flow pattern. W...

BACKGROUND Free flap surgery in the pediatric population has gained widespread acceptance regarding its technical utility and reliability. Initial concerns as to the feasibility and reliability of the procedure in children were resolved over time. METHODS Thirty children (15 boys, 15 girls) were treated in Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic. ...

The purpose of this commentary is to describe bilateral anomalous bands of the latissimus dorsi muscle observed in an 81-year-old male embalmed cadaver, and to discuss the possible clinical implications of this anomaly. The musculotendinous bands tautened and compressed the underlying axillary vessels, and the musculocutaneous, median, and ulnar nerves during passive abduction/external rotation...

Lymphedema is a common complication after mastectomy in breast cancer patients. Many treatment options are available, but no treatment results in a complete cure. We report a case of lymphedema that occurred after modified radical mastectomy in a breast cancer patient who showed objective improvement after delayed breast reconstruction with an latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. A 41-year-old f...

BACKGROUND Surgery for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is often technically risky. The choice of immediate thoracoplasty or muscle flap plombage to prevent postoperative space problems remains controversial. This study focused on the use of muscle flaps to prevent postoperative complications. METHODS During an 8-year period (2004 to 2012), all patients surgically treated for chronic pulmonary...