[Application of titanium plate and Teflon patch in chest wall reconstruction after sternal. tumor resection]

To study the reconstruction method and effectiveness of titanium plate and Teflon patch for the chest wall after resection of sternal tumors.

Between October 2006 and November 2009, 4 patients with sternal tumors were treated and the thoracic cages were reconstructed. There were 2 males and 2 females, aged 30-55 years. The patients were admitted because of chest lump or pain. The sizes of palpable lump ranged from 4 cm x 3 cm to 10 cm x 8 cm. CT examination showed bone destruction. After sternal tumor resection, defect size ranged from 10 cm x 8 cm to 18 cm x 14 cm, and titanium plate and Teflon patch were used to repair and reconstruct the chest wall defect.

The operations of the tumor resection and reconstruction of chest wall defect were successfully performed in 4 cases. Incisions healed by first intention with no abnormal breath, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, and infection. One case failed to be followed up after 6 months; 1 case died of intracranial hemorrhage; and 2 cases were followed up 1 and 4 years respectively without tumor recurrence. The chest wall had good remodeling. No loosening and exposure of titanium plate, difficulty in breathing, chest distress, and chest pain were observed during follow-up.

Surgical resection of sternal tumors will cause large chest wall defect which can be repaired by titanium plate and Teflon patch because it had the advantages of easy operation, satisfactory remodeling, and less complication.