Dr Rados Djinovic: Appropriate massage of the donor area (musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi |MLD) is crucial for dirt donor site closure during Perovic Total Phalloplasty latissimus dorsi flap.
The massage should include a WIDE area as presented.
The massage should be done by a professional.
The best is to treat both sides of the back.
If not, the more elastic side should be chosen.
The flap is harvested from the lateral side of the back (musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi) as showed.
The massage should be strong very and superficial.
It should be limited to the skin WITHOUT underlying muscles.
The donor site is prepared properly when a 30 cm width of the skin can be picked up with the fingers as shown.
Thus the patient is completely ready for surgery with minimal post-operative morbidity.