A novel reconstruction of 2 distinct defects : Concomitant use of a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap and its corresponding muscle flap

A perforator flap completely spares the underlying muscle, so the muscle tissue can now be used as a second flap for the reconstruction of another defect after the harvest of the overlying perforator flap as long as sufficient nutritive branches to the muscle remain. The authors describe here the creation of 2 independent free flaps from a single donor site, the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous unit. The 2 flaps, thoracodorsal artery perforator and its corresponding muscle flap, were created and transferred to 2 distinct defects. Using this technique, we could avoid creation of double donor sites and so minimize the donor morbidity to that associated with the traditional single musculocutaneous flap. This technique was employed by us for treating 2 patients who presented with 2 separate defects.