uscle and myocutaneous flaps have become enormously useful reconstructive tools. Utilization of these flaps, however, often compromises or sacrifices donor motor function, These motor losses can be clinically significant in certain activities. Accordingly, when less than total muscle bulk or their, cutaneous territory, are required for reconstruction, these muscles have a consistent proximal branching of their neurovascular anatomy that makes possible surgically splitting the units allows transfer of cutaneous paddles carried by on branch of the split muscle, and preservation of motor function with the remaining branch. This potential muscle and myocutaneaus units may include the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, trapezius, external oblique, gluteus maximus, temporalis, and soleus.
This study describes the anatomical basis for this maneuvers, reports experimental application of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous units split for motor preservation in 8 dogs, In each case, demonstrable motor function was preserved and successful flap transfer accomplished.
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