Scalp defects after large malignant tumor removal are always a challenge for plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Large defects with exposed calvarium and dura mater must be covered by flaps that are thick, good vitality and large enough. Free latissimus dorsi flap was used and reported by many authors. | Journal of military pharmaco-medicine no1-2019 MICROSURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF LARGE SCALP DEFECTS AFTER MALIGNANT TUMORS REMOVAL WITH LATISSIMUS DORSI FLAP 1 1 1 Nguyen Hong Ha ; Tran Xuan Thach ; Vu Trung Truc 1 Bui Mai Anh ; Ngo Manh Hung 1 SUMAMRY Introduction: Scalp defects after large malignant tumor removal are always a challenge for plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Large defects with exposed calvarium and dura mater must be covered by flaps that are thick, good vitality and large enough. Free latissimus dorsi flap was used and reported by many authors. However, they only focused on reconstruction for defects in thoracic region and extremity. Subjects and methods: The retrospective study was conducted on 4 patients. All had large tumors in the scalp or with the trespass possibility on scalp and dura mater. They were put under treatment and reconstructive surgery from 2012 to 2018. Results: 4 latissimus dorsi flaps were used. All the cases of skin - muscle flap were in good vitality and had good results in function, anatomy and aesthetics. Two patients were not required for calvarium reconstruction with artificial materials. Conclusion: Treatment for scalp defects after large malignant tumors requires a multi-specialty combination between neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesiology and oncology. Using free latissimus dorsi flap to reconstruct scalp defects has many advantages and brings good results in anatomy, function and aesthetics. * Keywords: Latissimus dorsi flap; Scalp malignant tumor; Scalp tissue defects. INTRODUCTION Scalp defects after large malignant tumor removal are always a challenge for plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons and are common lesions in trauma, posttumor surgery, scalp scar, etc. If large defects with exposed calvarium and dura mater are not treated, there will be serious affect the anatomy, function and aesthetics of the patient. The requirement for reconstruction is to have flaps that are thick, good vitality and large
