Modified approach for endoscopic harvest of the latissimus dorsi free flap with CO2 insufflation and standard laparoscopic equipment

Objective The latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap is frequently used for free tissue transfer to reconstruct large defects of the extremities. As a free flap, the LD also can be harvested as a muscle-sparing flap (MS-LD), preserving the innervation and insertion of the remaining muscle. Conventional harvesting of the LD flap, however, results in a long scar on the lateral back. Harvesting using an endoscopic approach minimizes donor site morbidity. We present our modified endoscopic technique with CO2 insufflation and standard endoscopic instruments for harvesting the LD or MS-LD muscle flap. Patients and methods Ten patients (mean age 43 years, range 22–66) underwent endoscopically harvested LD or MS-LD free-flap reconstruction for upper and lower extremity defects. Harvesting required only a short (3–5 cm) incision in the axilla for dissection of the vascular pedicle and the motor nerve, and the remainder of the dissection was performed endoscopically with CO2 insufflation. Dissection was achieved through three of four 5-mm ports and 30° view angle optics. Results Six of the flaps were MS-LD flaps. The largest flap size was 18 × 16 cm. Mean flap harvest time was 164 min (range 105–270 min). One total flap was lost 3 days postoperatively due to anastomotic thrombosis in a trauma patient who was later diagnosed with hypercoagulopathy. No donor site scar or wound complications were observed during the follow-up (20.1 months). Conclusions Endoscopic harvesting of an LD muscle free flap with CO2 insufflation and standard laparoscopic equipment is a feasible option for free-flap reconstruction.