Chest wall resection in general thoracic surgery

To clarify the incidence, indications, and efficacy of chest wall resection, a comprehensive review is needed. Chest wall resection was performed in 23 of 162 operations for thoracic disease over a nine-year period. Eight surgeries requiring chest wall resection for benign disease (8/79) were classified as fenestration or thoracoplasty for empyema, or resection of a benign neoplasm. Fifteen patients who underwent chest wall resections for malignant disease (15/83) were classified as contiguous extension of neoplasms of neighboring organs, primary tumor, or local recurrence. The most common procedure in the malignant disease group was resection for contiguous spread of primary lung cancer (n = 7). The survival rate was 50% at 4 years. There were no serious postoperative complications. In some malignant diseases, complete local control with such a procedure may even lead to a long-term survival. This is a safe and an effective procedure for a variety of diseases.