Closure of complex defects in the chest wall with muscle flaps

Aggressive treatment of thoracic malignancy may be complicated by complex defects in the chest wall. These may be associated with serious complications such as chronic infection, respiratory or cardiac failure, or major haemorrhage. Closure of the defect and restoration of the integrity of the chest wall is important for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Local flaps are often used, but may be inadequate or unavailable. Reconstruction with free flaps is better in these cases, as this provides as much abundant well-vascularised tissue as is required. We present 12 patients treated successfully for complex chest wall defects using various forms of local and free flap reconstruction. There were five complications, three healed spontaneously and two required secondary procedures before they healed.