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Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Published on: September 13, 2020
[Costochondritis and Osteomyelitis of the Ribs after Intercostal Thoracotomy]
Takuya Fujita1, Yoko Kataoka, Jun Hanaoka
1Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Kohka Public Hospital, Kohka, Japan.
Abstract:
A 53-year-old man underwent surgical repair and drainage of a spontaneous esophageal rupture through a left anterolateral intercostal thoracotomy. Thereafter, wound infection persisted for 3 years with formation of cutaneous fistulae and granulation tissue. Chest computed tomography revealed osteolysis, swollen ribs and costal cartilage, and cutaneous fistulous tracts. Bone scintigraphy with 99mTechnetium revealed abnormal accumulation in the ribs and costal cartilage, indicating costochondritis and osteomyelitis of ribs with cutaneous fistulae. Surgical resection of the skin including the cutaneous fistulae, infected ribs and costal cartilage were performed successfully.
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