Free latissimus dorsi muscle flap with skin graft for treatment of traumatic chronic bony wounds.

Based on this review of 35 cases of chronic bony wounds, it would appear that the free-muscle flap method of wound closure and nourishment after thorough dead bone debridement is an attractive and successful alternative to local skin flaps, staged skin flaps, or extend skin-muscle flaps in areas where reliable muscle flaps are not available. It would also seem that the latissimus dorsi muscle flap with skin graft is an ideal donor-muscle transfer with features allowing a favorable and contoured surface in the recipient site and minimal aesthetic and functional deformity in the donor site.