[Reconstruction of chest wall after resection]

To evaluate the results of chest wall reconstruction (CWR) in patients who underwent chest wall tumor resection accompanying huge chest wall defect.

From Jan. 1998 to Mar. 2003, 31 patients underwent CWR. Among them, 20 were male and 11 female. The age ranged from 8 to 72 years. The indications for resection were primary chest wall tumor in 21 patients, lung cancer with invasion of chest wall 6, recurrence of breast cancer 2, radiation necrosis 1 and skin cancer 1. The number of rib resected was 2-7 ribs (3.6 in average). The defect was 20-220 cm2 (97.1 cm2 in average). Concomitant resection was done in 13 patients, including lobectomy or wedge resection of lung 10, partial resection of diaphragm 2, and partial sternotomy 1. Seven patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction alone (latissimus dorsi+greater omentum, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, latissimus dorsi muscle flap), 5 patients bony reconstruction alone (Prolene web), and simultaneous BR and STR were performed in 19 patients (latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi+fascia lata, and Prolene web).

Three patients (9.7%) developed postoperative complications. Postoperative survival period was 6-57 months with a median of 22 months.

A favorable clinical outcome can be achieved by CWR for the patients with huge chest wall defects that result from resection of chest wall tumors.