Long-Term Patient-Reported Donor-Site Complaints After Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction: A 20-Year Cohort
Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/scs.0000000000013362
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Donor site, dysesthesia, head and neck reconstruction, latissimus dorsi flap, pain
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap harvest is widely used in reconstructive surgery, including head and neck reconstruction, but long-term patient-reported donor-site complaints remain insufficiently characterized. We retrospectively reviewed 90 patients who underwent free or pedicled LD myocutaneous flap reconstruction between 2004 and 2024. At long-term reassessment, patients were contacted and asked whether they currently experienced donor-site pain, dysesthesia, or subjective weakness. The median follow-up was 108 months. Pain was reported by 16 patients (17.8%), dysesthesia by 9 (10.0%), and subjective weakness by 2 (2.2%); 18 patients (20.0%) reported at least 1 complaint. Complaints were not significantly associated with sex, reconstructive indication, defect site, donor-site closure method, flap type, or laterality. Patients with pain or dysesthesia had significantly shorter follow-up than those without these complaints. The lower prevalence of pain and dysesthesia among patients with longer follow-up suggests that these donor-site complaints may diminish over time, providing a reassuring message for preoperative counseling.