Simultaneous bilateral breast reconstruction using latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps: A retrospective review of an institutional experience

A single institution's experience in the simultaneous reconstruction of bot h breasts using bilateral latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps is presented. The procedure was performed on 24 patients by the attending staff of the d epartment of plastic surgery at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas, betw een 1979 and 1999. Of the 24 patients reviewed, six had immediate reconstru ctions, 13 had delayed primary reconstructions, and five had secondary reco nstructions of failed or unsatisfactory primary procedures.. In the group w ith delayed reconstructions, the average time between mastectomy and recons truction was 46.4 months, with a range from 7 days to 21 years. The operati ve method, results, and outcomes of our experience in these patients is pre sented.