ABSTRACT
Objective To review our single institutional 10-year experience in complex chest wall reconstruction and identify a working algorithm based on our retrospective analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis of 87 patients who underwent chest wallreconstruction in our department from January 2005 to December 2015.Fifty female patients and 37 male patients who underwent the above procedure were reviewed retrospectively.The median age of the patients is 52.3 years (24-75years).Histologic diagnosis including squamous-cell carcinoma (n =10),soft tissue sarcoma(n =22),chondrosarcomas(n =13) and metastasis from breast cancer(n =42).Type of skeletal defect including partial ribs/sternum defects in 19 cases,soft tissue defects alone in 33 cases,complicated composite chest wall defects involving multiple layers(soft tissue,ribs/sternum,and intrathoracic organs) in 35 cases.Sole methylmethacrylate/polypropylene mesh was used for small sized rib defects in 26cases.Methylmethacrylate/polypropylene mesh sandwich prostheses was used in 28 cases with extensive skeletal reconstruction after partial sternectomy and rib resection.The chest wall defects were repaired with pedicled internal mammary artery perforator flap(3 cases),pedicled deep superior epigastric artery perforator flap(4 cases),pedicled pectoralis major flap(8 cases),free anterolateral thigh perforator flap(9 cases),free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap(17 cases),pedicled lateral thoracic flap(5 cases),pedicled latissimus dorsi flap(17 cases),pedicled rectus abdominis flap(15 cases),free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap combined with pedicled rectus abdominis flap (4 cases),pedicled bipaddled latissimus dorsi flap(5 cases).11 cases with extensive full-thickness defects of the chest wall,the skeletal reconstruction was achieved with prosthetic sandwich and then covered with the omental flap,further free flaps were harvested for skin and soft tissue repairing.Results 1 case with pedicled rectus abdominis flap partial necrosis was noted,free anterolateral thigh flap was used for repairmen after further revision.1 case with edicled bipaddled latissimus dorsi flap,necrosis of the distal 1/4 part of one paddle was noted,healed with dressing therapy,no secondary skin grafting was required.Postoperative venous congestion occurred in 2 cases with deep inferior epigastric artery flap transplantation,in which both skin flaps exhibited venous crisis within 24 h after surgery.The reexploration procedures were successful in both cases and the flaps survived totally.All other flaps survived.The mean follow-up was 31 months,ranged from 9 to 72 months.No tumour extirpation was noted,functional and appearance results were satisfied.Conclusion According to the size and location of chest wall defect,different pedicled and free flaps should be chosen to achieve optimal outcome.Free flaps are efficient for large complex chest defects reconstruction.