Free transfer of the latissimus dorsi flap to sites with decompensated regional blood flow in burn and vascular surgery

In the experiment, a sluggish wound of an extremity against the background of chronic ischemia was modelled in white rats. Then, a scapular muscle was transferred onto a wound defect. Free transfer of the latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) aimed at closure of the extensive wound defect and revascularization of the tissue ischemia area was performed in 29 patients: for high-voltage electric burn (12 cases), frostbite (5), radiation ulcer (4) and obliterative diseases of the lower extremities (8). Complications--partial, or total necrosis of a flap--occurred in 11 patients. Risk of free LDF transfer is justified because of absence of the other methods for prevention of amputation of the extremities.