[Reconstruction methods of anterior chest wall resection--comparison between acrylic resins and myocutaneous flaps]

A total of 32 patients were treated by chest wall resection for primary and recurrent breast cancer or other malignant tumors of the chest wall. Reconstruction of the anterior chest wall was conducted using either acrylic resin plate or myocutaneous flap. Although acrylic resin plate proved to be satisfactory for maintaining stability of the chest wall and protecting important organs in the anterior mediastinum, some patients developed foreign body reactions including local infections, local retention of serous discharge and slight anterior chest pain during a prolonged observation. Reconstruction with myocutaneous flap achieved acceptable stability and caused no such foreign body reactions. We confirmed that myocutaneous flap was the best way to reconstruct the anterior chest wall after full thickness chest wall resection.