[Musculocutaneous flap-plasty for reconstruction of large chest wall defects following tumor therapy].

A series of 12 consecutive chest wall reconstructions during 1986 was reviewed. There were 9 musculocutaneous flaps: 7 latissimus dorsi (one microvascular free flap) and 2 rectus abdominis muscles. Despite some complications (postop. bleeding, paradoxical motion of the chest) the use of myocutaneous flaps seems to be the therapy of choice for large chest wall defects, especially in infected areas and after irradiation therapy.