Latissimus Dorsi Flap Revisited: Coverage of Large Chest Wall Defects Following Mastectomy for Locally Advanced Breast Carcinoma and Angiosarcoma

Abstract

Background: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) remains a significant tool in the armamentarium of the oncoplastic breast surgeon. Despite declining popularity for reconstruction, owing to the increasing use of implants and free flaps, it still has an important role in certain salvage situations and as a flap to cover large defects. We report our experience with the use of LDMF for immediate coverage of large mastectomy defects when options are limited.Methods: Retrospective series of prospectively collected patient records. Patient and tumour characteristics, length of stay, and post-operative and oncologic outcomes are reported. Patients with angiosarcoma were discussed at tertiary sarcoma centres as per national guidelines. Operations were carried out by oncoplastic breast surgeons. The case series was approved by the institutional information governance department in line with institutional requirements for patient data sharing. All patients provided written consent for photography. Descriptive statistics were used to report findings. Median (IQR) was used for continuous variables.Results: Six women were included, with a median age of 62.5 years, from December 2019 to October 2022. Follow-up ranged from 15 to 49 months. Median tumour size was 72.5 (16.25) mm. Four patients had locally advanced breast carcinoma (LABC), and two had breast angiosarcoma. The donor site and chest wall defects were closed primarily in all cases. Median length of stay was three nights. All mastectomy wounds healed without issues and any delay to their adjuvant treatment. One patient had a minor latissimus dorsi (LD) donor site wound breakdown managed conservatively. Three patients had adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery. Four patients, one after high-grade angiosarcoma and three after aggressive breast carcinoma, had a locoregional recurrence or distant metastases and succumbed within 20 months of surgery. Conclusion:The LDMF can be a reliable option for the primary closure of large post-mastectomy wounds. Its use can lead to timely wound healing, allowing patients to undergo adjuvant treatment without delay. However, the overall oncologic outcomes in patients with LABC and angiosarcoma are poor due to the underlying aggressive tumour biology. Long-term outcomes are to be interpreted with caution due to the small number of patients with diverse pathologic features.