Repair of right ventricular free wall defect with a de-epithelized pedicled myocutaneous latissimus dorsi muscle flap.

Abstract

Rupture of the right ventricle may occur because of sternal dehiscence or mediastinitis after cardiac surgery. Direct suture, polytetrafluoroethylene patch, fasciae, and muscle flaps have been used to close a right ventricular rupture. A unique occurrence of repair of a full-thickness right ventricle defect with a de-epithelized myocutaneous flap is presented. Our patient experienced a rupture of the right ventricle complicating sternal wound infection. The rupture was reconstructed with a polytetrafluoroethylene patch, but the patch needed to be removed because of infection. The defect was reconstructed with a de-epithelized myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. The patient indicated no signs of complication during follow-up.