[Chest wall reconstruction with a non-rigid synthetic rib prosthesis: a multicenter study]

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Oncology
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Chest wall resection is crucial for treating various thoracic diseases, including primary tumors, metastases, and invasive lung/mediastinal cancers.
• Effective chest wall reconstruction is vital for restoring structural integrity, preserving lung function, and preventing complications like pulmonary hernia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of chest wall reconstruction using Codubix material following tumor resection.
• To assess the functional and cosmetic results, complication rates, and survival data associated with Codubix reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective multicenter study involving 22 patients who underwent chest wall tumor resection and Codubix endoprosthesis reconstruction between 2019 and 2023.
• Inclusion criteria involved chest wall tumors (primary/secondary), resection of over two ribs, and/or sternal resection.
• Data collected included patient demographics, tumor types, extent of resection, complications, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• The study included 22 patients (50% female, median age 60) with various thoracic tumors, primarily sarcoma (40.9%).
• Radical tumor removal (R0) was achieved in 95.5% of patients, with a median of 3 ribs resected.
• Complications occurred in 40.9% of patients, with seroma being most frequent; 1-year recurrence-free survival was 63.9% and overall survival was 86.8%.

Conclusions:

• Codubix material facilitates satisfactory functional and cosmetic chest wall reconstruction after tumor resection.
• The material demonstrates good adaptive properties and is associated with a low rate of significant complications.
• This approach supports effective restoration of chest wall integrity and positive patient outcomes.