Intrathoracic use of tubed latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of the cervical and thoracic esophagus in a child.

Abstract

A case report of an intrathoracic application of tubed latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap as an island flap for one-stage reconstruction of an extensive and impassable stricture, following corrosive burns of the oropharynx and the cervical and upper half of the thoracic esophagus in a 1-year-old child, with follow-up results of 9 years is presented. Esophagoscopic and cineradiographic studies were carried out at regular intervals to monitor the growth and the patency of the neoesophagus. This was probably the youngest patient for whom the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap has been used for an intrathoracic application. Also this may be the first reported case of the use of the latissimus dorsi flap for reconstruction of the thoracic esophagus.