Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction is most commonly used to recreate a breast following mastectomy for cancer, but may also be used to correct significant breast asymmetry, or congenital problems such as tuberous breast deformity. This procedure involves taking muscle, overlying skin and fat from your back and transplanting it to your chest to recreate the breast shape. For breast cancer patients, it can be done at the time of mastectomy (immediate) or at a later date (delayed). It can be used for breast reconstruction on its own or combined with an implant underneath it for more volume.
Good Candidates
The latissimus dorsi flap could be a good choice for you if you:
- Don’t have enough extra abdominal tissue to make a breast
- Need to add volume over or protect an implant
- Want to replace chest wall skin/tissue that is unhealthy from radiation










