Latissimus Dorsi-Myocutaneous Flap in the Repair of Titanium Mesh Exposure and Scalp Defect After Cranioplasty

Titanium mesh was widely used for cranium defect repair but associated with high complication rates. In this study, the authors describe a method using latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flap in the repair of titanium mesh exposure and scalp defect after cranioplasty, and the plate retaining is also achieved. Fifteen patients from April 2012 to May 2016 underwent this procedure, the age ranged from 32 to 62 years and 47 years old on average, and all the patient had plate exposure combined with surgical site infection and variation of scalp defect. All the patients had fully flap survive, and follow up ranged from 6 months to 24 months, 1 patient had titanium mesh re-expose and received additional operation to remove the plate. The free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap could supply large size of bulky tissue coverage with good blood supply and strong anti-infection ability. This method was an option for retaining the titanium mesh and repairing the exposure for the mild infection with small size scalp defect patient.