A Case of Latissimus Dorsi Pedicle Arising from the Lateral Thoracic Vessels

Abstract

The thoracodorsal system represents a versatile, yet reliable system for the harvest of tissues for microsurgical transplantation. Also, the donor vessel anatomy is generally thought to be highly predictable in terms of topography and branching patterns. In this article we describe for the first time the occurrence of a branching pattern during a clinical harvest of the latissimus dorsi muscle flap, previously encountered only in cadaver dissections. We compare our intraoperative findings with published anatomical investigations and discuss the implications of this particular variation of the blood supply to the latissimus dorsi muscle for clinical practice.

Nipple‐sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap using thoracodorsal recipient vessels and a low lateral incision

“…Second, the TD vessel harvest may disallow the option of a latissimus dorsi flap later thus potentially sacrificing this “lifeboat” for the future breast reconstruction with a pedicle flap. However, it has been shown that the serratus branch is a reliable vascular supply for the latissimus dorsi flap even when the TD vessels have been damaged . Third, there are some technical considerations of this method.…”