Mastery of chest wall reconstruction with a titanium sternum-rib fixation system: a case series

Chest wall disease is a common disease in thoracic surgery. For most chest wall lesions, surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. Reconstruction is indicated for a wide range of chest wall defects. Currently, various reconstruction materials are used in clinic, including 3D printing materials and various types of metal materials. At present, most of the studies using titanium sternum-rib fixation system for reconstruction are case reports. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the experience to discuss our essential surgical techniques for treating various types of chest wall reconstruction with a titanium sternum-rib fixation system over the last 5 years.

A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with chest wall tumors treated with a titanium sternum-rib fixation system in our center from 2016 to 2020. Chest wall reconstruction techniques, experiences, postoperative complications, and quality of life including chest discomfort, chronic pain, average time to return to normal life, chest wall deformity after resection for various types of chest wall tumors were analyzed. In this study, a total of 57 patients were successfully operated without chest wall deformity and return to daily life early. With an average of 2.3 ribs removed, including 10 procedures involving sternotomy and reconstruction and 3 procedures involving sternoclavicular joint resection and reconstruction. The follow-up time of the whole group ranged from 3 months to 5 years. Postoperative chest discomfort occurred in 6 patients during follow-up; 2 patients had chronic pain. The average time to return to normal life was 1.4 months. One patient developed a deformed depression of the chest wall, and 2 patients developed wound infections. There was no perioperative death.

In our clinical experience, the titanium sternum-rib fixation system is safe, effective, and feasible. The technique is straightforward. The early and middle postoperative curative effect is satisfactory and can be used clinically.