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Breast Reconstruction pp 943–950Cite as

The Significance of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Innervation in Delayed Breast Reconstruction

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Abstract

Delayed breast reconstruction with a pedicled myocutaneous latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a commonly used reconstruction method. There are diverse opinions both in favor of and against transecting the thoracodorsal nerve in the LD flap breast reconstruction. The significance of the innervation has to be assessed together with the decision of how to deal with the humeral insertion of the LD muscle. The volume and consistency of the flap remains more or less the same regardless the thoracodorsal nerve is cut or not. Contraction activity of the flap and distortion of the breast does not differ significantly either, regardless the thoracodorsal nerve is cut or not, when LD muscle humeral insertion is also detached. The thoracodorsal nerve can either be cut or not in the delayed LD flap breast reconstruction if the humeral insertion of the muscle is completely transected. The thoracodorsal nerve is recommended to be cut only if the insertion of the LD muscle is saved intact or is partially transected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, 2000, Hiekkakuja 2 A 26, Tampere, 33700, Finland

    Minna T. Kaariainen M.D., Ph.D.

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  1. Minna T. Kaariainen M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Minna T. Kaariainen M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tustin, California, USA

    Melvin A. Shiffman

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Kaariainen, M.T. (2016). The Significance of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Innervation in Delayed Breast Reconstruction. In: Shiffman, M. (eds) Breast Reconstruction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18726-6_93

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18726-6_93

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18725-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18726-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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