The Combined Use of the Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Free Flap and Split-Rib Grafts for Cranial Vault Reconstruction

Abstract

The patient described in this article had a large skull defect under the scalp which had been irradiated during treatment of a malignant brain tumor. The patient desired reconstruction of her defect. To provide good soft-tissue coverage for the bony reconstruction, a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was used. The bony defect was partially reconstructed with split-rib grafts. The two parts of the reconstruction were combined into one operation, since it was felt that the well-vascularized muscle would ensure viability of the bone grafts.