A Combined Scapular Flap and Latissimus Dorsi Flap

The treatment of extensive soft tissue injury of the lower extremities is known to be one difficulty in the field of orthopedic surgery. At present, reconstructive surgery with large cutaneous flaps is being employed, and the authors present 2 cases of a combination of flaps for extensive soft tissue injury of the lower extremity at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Severance Hospital during a 5 months period from June, 1983 to November, 1983. The results of the study are as follows: 1. A one-stage reconstruction of extensive soft tissue injury was done with a combination of a scapular and a latissimus dorsi flap. 2. There was no limitation of motion of the shoulder in spite of the excision of the scapular and the latissimus dorsi flaps around the axillary area. 3. The primary closure of the donor flap sites was feasible. 4. The reconstructive surgery of the extensive soft tissue injury using the above combination of the scapular and latissimus dorsi flaps can be used without restriction as to the age of the patient.