Abstract

SANCHEZ WALS, Lenia; ALFONSO COTO, Juan Carlos  and  MESTRE FERNANDEZ, Braulio F. Reconstruction of complex chest wall defects. Rev Cubana Cir [online]. 2012, vol.51, n.3, pp. 234-244. ISSN 0034-7493.

Reconstruction of large defects of the chest wall frequently requires the use of complex techniques that combines autologous tissues and alloplastic materials, which poses a real challenge for the cosmetic surgeon. Those chest defects that are seen in our institution are secondary to tumor excision, either of primary or of secondary origin. Many reconstructive options are necessary to cover large defects as a result of wide resection of tumors and to supply the defect with large, bulky and well vascularized flaps. Although advanced techniques for rigid support are not available in our conditions, it has been possible to cover all defects and to assure adequate stability of the chest wall. Four cases of large chest defects were presented in this paper. The objective was to show how the immediate reconstruction was carried out by combining autologous flaps and alloplastic materials.

Keywords : thoracic defect; chest wall reconstruction; flaps.