Restoration of finger extension and forearm contour utilizing a neurovascular latissimus dorsi free flap

The use of a free neurovascular latissimus dorsi flap for restoration of wrist and finger extension and forearm contour is described in a burn patient. Wound coverage is the prime need of the extensive tissue loss in the upper limb, and a muscle or musculocutaneous flap is necessary to cover the exposed bone and muscles for infection control. Furthermore, restoration of the limb function as well as aesthetic flap donor and recipient site contour are needed. The case presented is the extremely rare patient in whom restoration of finger extension was achieved after the nearly total loss of the extensor forearm muscles.