The use of a latissimus dorsi muscle flap for scapular reconstruction in a cat following fibrosarcoma excision

A latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used to reconstruct a proximal scapular defect in a cat after excision of a fibrosarcoma that had recurred after eight surgeries, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. To obtain appropriate surgical margins, infraspinatus and supraspinatus myectomy and scapular spinous ostectomy were performed. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was rotated into the defect and anchored to four holes placed in the cranial border of the scapula. The cat showed no lameness at 6, 21, 42, and 147 days after surgery. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was successful for proximal scapular reconstruction in this cat.