Chest Wall Defects and their Reconstruction

Background : Chest wall reconstruction remains one of the most challenging areas of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The purpose of this study is to report our 4 year experience with chest wall reconstruction. Methods: A review of 62 patients who had chest wall reconstruction from 2001 to 2004, is included in the paper. Indications include, defects secondary to congenital deformity correction, post neoplastic reconstructions, post burn defects and sternotomy wounds. Procedures performed included direct closure after debridement, vacuum assisted closure with and without skin grafting, pectoralis major flap, rectus abdominis flap, omental flap and free flaps including latissmus dorsi flap. The average hospital stay was 13 days. The uneventful recovery was seen in 50 patients. Minor complications were seen in 12 patients whereas major complications were not seen in any patient. Conclusion: Chest wall reconstruction can be performed with satisfactory outcome provided that reconstruction ladder is followed.