Abstract

FULLANA SASTRE, F. et al. 20 years experience with lateral thoracodorsal (Hölstrom) flap. Cir. plást. iberolatinoam. [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.3, pp.211-222. ISSN 1989-2055.

We analyse the evolution in the design, the rate of complications and the degree of satisfaction after the accomplishment of 222 lateral thoracodorsal flaps in 215 patients for delayed and immediate mammary reconstruction. The average follow-up was of 112 months. Forty-five percent of the mammary reconstructions carried out in our Unit have been made with this type of flap. The original design has been evolved to the proposed one by Holmström with some modifications. In 166 cases it was associated with other procedures to obtain mammary symmetry. There was no operative mortality and although the rate of morbidity was of 66/222 (30%), most of complications did not need specific treatment. Patients' satisfaction with the procedure was very high. We conclude that lateral thoracodorsal flap is a simple technique that fulfills all the objectives for mammary reconstruction, it can be used in a substantial number of cases, with an acceptable morbidity and high patients´ satisfaction.

Keywords : Breast reconstruction; Lateral thoracodorsal flap; Hölmstrom flap.

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