The latissimus dorsi flap in head and neck reconstructive surgery: a review of 121 procedures.

The results of a prospective study of 121 latissimus dorsi flaps performed during head and neck reconstructive surgery at the Royal Marsden Hospital are presented. Three-quarters of the flaps were pedicled and one-quarter were free. All the patients underwent surgery for malignant disease. The flap failure rate was 5%, other flap related complications occurred in 19% and the overall rate of complications was 26%. Previous radiotherapy, site of reconstruction, type of flap (free or pedicled) and age of the patient were not significant risk factors. Men were more likely to have a complication than women.