The latissimus dorsi (LD) is a muscle on the upper back that controls shoulder movement. This muscle and some skin and fat can be moved from the back around to the chest to reconstruct the breast shape.
This reconstruction can be completed in one operation, but the surgeon will usually place an implant under the flap to create a breast that is similar in size to your remaining breast. If you have a tissue expander, the surgeon will begin the expansion process after the flap has healed. Unless you have a nipple-sparing mastectomy, the areola and nipple are created in a separate operation.
The size of the scar on the back will depend on the surgeon – most times it can be hidden by a bra strap. The scar on the breast will vary depending on the type of mastectomy you had.
A new technique avoids a scar on the back by reopening the mastectomy scar and then special instruments are inserted to bring the latissimus dorsi muscle forward towards the breast. This surgery is now widely available. Ask your surgeon if this is suitable for you.
Reconstruction with an LD flap
 | After the reconstruction you will have a scar on your breast. You may also have a scar on your back, depending on the technique used. |
→ READ MORE: Less common types of flap procedures
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Dr Jane O’Brien, Specialist Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgeon, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, VIC; Clare Bradshaw, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; Rene Hahn, Consumer; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Dr Marc Langbart, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Randwick Plastic Surgery, NSW; Melanie Law, Consumer; Sally Levy, Consumer; Annmaree Mitchell, Consumer; Ashleigh Mondolo, Breast Cancer Nurse Clinical Consultant, Mater Private Hospital Brisbane, QLD; Rochelle Osgood, Clinical Nurse Consultant – McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD: Dr Kallyani Ponniah, Head of Department, Breast Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA; Meg Rynderman OAM, Consumer; Sarah Stewart, Breast Care Nurse, The Royal Women’s Hospital, VIC; Erin Tidball, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Jane Turner, Senior Exercise Physiologist, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, Concord Cancer Centre, NSW.
The photograph above has been reproduced with permission from Breast Cancer: Taking Control © Boycare Publishing 2010.
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