LATISSIMUS-DORSI FREE TISSUE TRANSFER FOR COVERAGE OF EXTENSIVE SOFT-TISSUE DEFECTS

15 latissimus dorsi free flap transfers were performed at the Universi ty of Ioannina Medical School during a 3-year period. Soft tissue defe cts in the upper (3) and lower (12) extremities resulting from trauma, septic pseudoarthrosis, osteomyelitis, open type IIIb fractures, inco mplete amputations and tumor or unstable scar resection were covered b y myocutaneous flaps in 6 cases and muscle flaps with split thickness skin grafts in 9 cases. Complications included pressure ulcer, infecti on hematoma and massive lung embolism. The results of the present stud y in which 13 of the 15 flaps were successful, suggest that an ''ortho plastic'' approach in covering soft tissue defects is beneficial.