Use of pedicled latissimus dorsi flap in anterior chest wall reconstruction

Successful surgical management of chest wall tumours relies on extensive chest wall resection with adequate margins. In large complex tumours, return to form and function is determined by appropriate skeletal and soft tissue reconstruction of the chest wall defect. We report an original case of a large 11×16×3 cm ulcerative basosquamous carcinoma of the anterior chest wall. Soft tissue reconstruction was performed with a unilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi flap. A multidisciplinary approach between thoracic and plastic surgeons was used in the planning, intraoperative and follow-up periods. This case highlights a good long-term functional and cosmetic outcome in complex chest wall reconstruction as a result of successful cross-specialty collaboration.