Reconstruction of the upper extremity with a compound rib-latissimus dorsi osteomusculocutaneous flap.

The reliability and versatility of the pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle or osteomusculocutaneous flap make it our first choice in the management of upper arm injuries and we have treated three such patients in this way. They had severe skeletonising, crushing injuries of an upper extremity with humeral defects that were treated with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps and segments taken from the ribs. All the flaps survived completely with no injury of the pleura at the donor site. The reconstructed humerus was strong enough for the patients to participate in all activities of daily living. We think that this technique is suitable for the upper arm defects with humeral loss because of its simplicity and minimal morbidity.