Reconstruction of hip abduction using free muscle transplantation: a case report and description of the technique

The authors describe a free-functioning latissimus dorsi muscle transplanta tion for reconstruction of hip abduction. A radical "buttockectomy" was per formed on a 62-year-old patient with recurrent soft-tissue sarcoma, The pat ient received a muscle transplantation immediately after resection of the t umor, Until recovery of the muscle, a complete absence of hip abductors res ulted in a marked lurch in the patient's gait, requiring him to use walking aids. Reinnervation of the muscle was confirmed via electromyography 6 mon ths after surgery. Hip abduction was restored along with muscle recovery, a nd walking support was no longer required. Although the strength of the mus cle was not sufficiently powerful to overcome gravity fully, the latissimus dorsi muscle improved markedly the performance of an otherwise unstable hi p, This patient demonstrates that microsurgical reconstruction is of great value in enhancing the functional outcome of a salvaged limb after tumor su rgery.