I'm Suppose to Have a Lat Flap and Am Wondering How Safe is the Procedure?

Latissimus dorsi flap is a very common flap used for breast reconstruction and wound coverage for large wounds.  As this is a commonly used flap, it is likely 'routine' surgery and so your surgeon and nursing team should be well familiarized with the procedure.  Surgical risks should be minimal.  The recovery may take a while.  You will likely have drains that may have to stay in place for up to 2 weeks.  The recovery is also governed by what the flap is being used.  Follow your surgeon's instructions carefuly to ensure that the blood flow to the flap is no interfered with.

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

While having a muscle transferred seems like a large operation, in general the latissimus flap is one of the most reliable operations and the downtime is not as difficult as most women assume. Typically there is a 1-2 night hospital stay and recovery takes 2-3 weeks. There have been shown to be no long term deficits in shoulder function for the vast majority of women following latissimus flap harvest, making it safe to undergo for the vast majority of women. It is an especially excellent option if the field has been radiated or otherwise damaged from infection or wound breakdown.

Thank you for your question. The Lat Flap has been around for a long time and has a proven track record for breast reconstruction.  Although in the category of less elegant flaps, it serves an important role in a plastic surgeon's armamentarium of possible flaps for breast reconstruction.

It is a safe surgery in that your main risks will be risks associated with any medical conditions you have and the typical risks of any surgery (bleeding, infection, scars, etc...) and anesthesia risks.  Specifically, the Lat flap has the possible risk of a fluid collection forming on the back from where it was taken. Total flap loss is pretty rare for this surgery unless somehow the blood vessel keeping it alive is not available from previous surgeries.

A typical recovery is off pain medication, driving, and back to a desk job at 2 weeks, sometimes 3.  Ask your surgeon what his/her specific instructions are. I defer to your surgeon for all specific instructions, as she/he has had the advantage of evaluating you and doing an examination.

I hope this helps at least somewhat.  Best of Luck!

Latissimus flaps are very safe and have low complication rates since the blood vessels are not disconnected and reconnected like a free tissue transfer (DIEP, TUG, SGAP). Usually you will have drains in the back for 1 - 2 weeks and will spend 1 - 2 nights in the hospital. For total recovery time, it would be 2 - 4 weeks.

The Latissimus Flap is a very safe and reliable procedure. Most patients stay in the hospital overnight and get discharged home with drains.  The drains may stay up to two to three weeks, especially if patients are very active with arm movement during recovery.