Durability and versatility of free lattismus dorsi muscle flap in leg defects

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of free lattismus dorsi muscle flap used for soft tissue reconstruction of leg defects. Methods: This prospective non-randomized study was conducted on 13 patients with leg defects of different causes attended emergency unit and outpatient clinic of plastic surgery department in Sohag University Hospital in the period between June 2013 and May 2014. Durability of coverage, flap success, infection, pain and overall satisfaction were studied. Results: Complete flap survival was 92.3% with only one total flap loss. Conclusion: The choice of the flap to cover leg defects should be tailored according to favorable criteria as regarding patient age, defect site, size and depth, presence or absence of infections. The free lattismus dorsi muscle flapcan cover huge sized defects, robust blood supply and less need for secondary thinning operations.