Reconstruction of a full-thickness defect of the chest wall caused by friction burn using a combined myocutaneous flap of teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles

This report describes the therapeutic course of a case of deep burns caused by friction heat generated over a long contact time by a rotating tractor wheel. The burn was accompanied by a full-thickness defect of the chest wall, which we treated with a combined myocutaneous flap of teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles with a large skin flap. Our therapeutic concept of this case is discussed. Based on the postoperative course of this case, we think a combined myocutaneous flap of teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles with two nourishing vessels as an alternative is a very useful, safe, and secure method for the treatment of cases with axillary damages which require one-stage and stable reconstruction, like our patient. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.