The Split Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap to Protect a Bronchial Stump at Risk of Bronchial Insufficiency

Pneumonectomy for Primary Lung Tumors and Pulmonary Metastases: A Comprehensive Study of Postoperative Morbidity, Early Mortality, and Preoperative Clinical Prognostic Factors

BACKGROUND

Pneumonectomy is a major surgical resection that still remains a high-risk operation. The current study aims to investigate perioperative risk factors for postoperative morbidity and early mortality after pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies at our institution between 2014 and 2022. Complications were assessed up to 30 days after the operation. Mortality for any reason was recorded after 30 days and 90 days.

RESULTS

A total of 145 out of 169 patients undergoing pneumonectomy were included in this study. The postoperative 30-day complication rate was 41.4%. The 30-day-mortality was 8.3%, and 90-day-mortality 17.2%. The presence of cardiovascular comorbidities was a risk factor for major cardiopulmonary complications (54.2% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.01). Postoperative bronchus stump insufficiency (OR: 11.883, 95% CI: 1.288-109.591, p = 0.029) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score 4 (OR: 3.023, 95% CI: 1.028-8.892, p = 0.044) were independent factors for early mortality.

CONCLUSION

Pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies remains a high-risk major lung resection with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. Attention should be paid to the preoperative selection of patients.

Function-Sparing Free Split Latissimus Dorsi Flap for Lower-Extremity Reconstruction: Five-Year Consecutive Single-Surgeon Series

BACKGROUND

The free split latissimus dorsi flap for lower-extremity reconstruction has some advantages over the traditional latissimus dorsi flap. The flap is harvested with the patient in the supine position and is associated with minimal morbidity as the function of the remaining latissimus dorsi muscle is preserved through the posterior division of the thoracodorsal nerve.

METHODS

A consecutive single-surgeon 5-year series of free split latissimus dorsi muscle flaps for lower-extremity reconstruction (n = 42) was evaluated. Donor site morbidity was evaluated through assessment of the strength of the remaining latissimus dorsi at least 1 month after surgery. Shoulder function was evaluated postoperatively using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).

RESULTS

The mean age of the 42 patients was 40.7 years. The mean length and width of the flaps were 17.9 cm and 8.6 cm. The majority (71%) of the wounds were due to acute trauma. Of the 42 flap procedures performed, 95% (40) were successful. Assessment of remaining latissimus dorsi strength at least 1 month postoperatively, during 3 activities, showed a Medical Research Council (MRC) grade of 5 in all patients. The mean and median scores were 6.4 and 0 according to the DASH, 6.0/6.4 and 0/0 on the SPADI pain/disability scales, and 90.7 and 100 on the ASES.

CONCLUSIONS

The free split latissimus dorsi flap is a large reliable muscle flap with negligible donor site morbidity that is particularly advantageous for lower-extremity resurfacing following trauma.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Successful muscle prombage for directly nonclosable extremely calcified bronchial stump

Severe diffuse chronic calcification can cause an unsuccessful closure of the bronchial stump. An opened stump must be closed with a tissue flap without fixation using the bronchial wall. We performed successful volume double-layered dressing using a technique whereby we divided the latissimus dorsi muscle above and below the left pulmonary artery over the open stump of a severely calcified bronchus.