New perspectives in prosthetic reconstruction in chest wall resection

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Chest wall resection for primary and secondary tumors is a complex procedure.
• Reconstruction following extensive chest wall resection is challenging and critical for patient outcomes.
• Maintaining respiratory function and protecting intrathoracic organs are key goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze the current literature on chest wall reconstruction strategies.
• To focus on the planning and execution of reconstructive surgery after extensive chest wall resection.
• To identify optimal reconstructive techniques and materials.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of selected studies on chest wall demolition and reconstruction.
• Analysis of surgical series focusing on thoracic surgery.
• Evaluation of employed materials, reconstruction techniques, morbidity, and mortality.

Main Results:

• The review highlights the challenges in chest wall demolition and reconstruction.
• Various materials and techniques for chest wall reconstruction were analyzed.
• New biomimetic materials offer promising advancements in rigid and non-rigid systems.

Conclusions:

• Effective planning and appropriate material selection are crucial for successful chest wall reconstruction.
• Biomimetic materials represent a significant advancement in treating complex thoracic diseases.
• Further prospective studies are needed to optimize thoracic function after major resections.