• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.246-249
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• 2022

Recurrent pectus excavatum (PE) after a Ravitch operation is not uncommon. Extensive costal cartilage resection from the previous Ravitch procedure can lead to an irregular, unstable chest wall depressions with a varying degree of deformity. The optimal approach to cover the chest wall defect and remodel the deformity, remains unknown. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman seeking surgery for the third time for recurrent PE. The patient presented with 2-time recurrent pectus excavatum following a failed Ravitch procedure and subsequent pectus bar repair. The entire chest wall reconstruction and remodeling entailed covering the chest wall defect with 2 titanium plates across both sides of the rib cage, and lifting and fixing the depressed chest wall with 2 parallel pectus bars.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2023

Background The chest wall defects can be caused by various reasons. In the case of malignant tumor resection of the chest wall, it is essential to reconstruct the chest wall to cover the vital tissue and restore the pulmonary function with prevention of paradoxical motion. With our experience, we analyzed and evaluated the results and complications of the chest wall reconstructions followed by malignant tumor resection. Methods From 2013 to 2022, we reviewed a medical record of patients who received chest reconstruction due to chest wall malignant tumor resection. The following data were retrieved: patients' demographic data, tumor type, type of operation, method of chest wall reconstruction of the soft and skeletal tissue and complications. Results There were seven males and six female patients. The causes of reconstruction were 12 primary tumors and one metastatic carcinoma. The pathological types were seven sarcomas, three invasive breast carcinoma, and three squamous cell carcinomas. The skeletal reconstruction was performed in six patients. The series of the flap were eight pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flaps, two pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, two vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap, and one LD free flap. Among all the cases, only one staged reconstruction and successful reconstruction without flail chest. Most of the complications were atelectasis. Conclusion In the case of accompanying multiple ribs and sternal defect, skeletal reconstruction would need skeletal reconstruction to prevent paradoxical chest wall motion. The flap for soft tissue defect be selected according to defect size and location of chest wall. With our experience, we recommend the reconstruction algorithm for chest wall defect due to malignant tumor resection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2022

Bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flaps are commonly used to reconstruct large chest wall defects. We report a case of large chest wall defect reconstruction using bilateral PMMC flaps augmented with axillary V-Y advancement rotation flaps for additional flap advancement. A 74-year-old male patient was operated on for recurrent glottic squamous cell carcinoma. Excision of the tumor resulted in a 10×10 cm defect in the anterior chest wall. Bilateral PMMC flaps were raised to cover the chest wall defect. For further flap advancement, V-Y rotation advancement flaps from both axillae were added to allow complete closure. All flaps survived completely, and postoperative shoulder abduction was not limited (100° on the right side and 92° on the left). Age-related skin redundancy in the axillae enabled the use of V-Y rotation advancement flaps without limitation of shoulder motion. Bilateral PMMC advancement flaps and the additional use of V-Y rotation advancement flaps from both axillae may be a useful reconstructive option for very large chest wall defects in older patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.277-280
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• 2010

Purpose: The resection of locally advanced or recurred breast cancers frequently result in large chest wall defects and it leads to a great challenges to cover. Generally simple skin grafts are not a practical option for patients because of their poor cosmetic appearance and prognosis. The latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap have traditionally been recommended for closure of these large defects. Though the cosmetic result of reconstruction using these flaps is often excellent, but has significant drawbacks. Therefore, we thought that chest wall reconstruction using the external oblique musculocutaneous flap can be an alternative method for extensive chest wall defect related to large, locally advanced breast carcinoma. Methods & Results: We present a case of a 50-year-old Korean female, refered to our department with a left breast tumor for 10 months. CT demonstrate a large tumor on the left anterior chest wall and multiple nodules of varying size in the cervical areas and liver. FDG-PET showed areas of hot uptake throughout the left chest wall, mediastinum and liver. Biopsy was consistent with invasive ductal carcinoma (Grade III). The initial tumor was considered inoperable, so a series of chemotherapy was initiated. Though the size of the breast mass was slightly decreased, the patient continued to suffer from purulent discharge, unpleasant odor and contact bleeding of the mass, the salvage mastectomy was performed. Conclusion: We could reconstruct $23{\times}16\;cm$ sized large chest wall defect, resulting from the resection of a locally advanced breast carcinoma, using an external oblique musculocutaneous flap successfully. Immediate postoperatively checked flap was healthy. Overall result was good without any significant complications and discharged 3 weeks after operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1975

We have experienced 49 cases of tumors of chest wall at St. Mary`s Hospital from Jan. 1963 to Dec.1974. In four cases of them, the reconstruction of chest wall defects performed. 1] Out of 49 cases of tumors of the chest wall, 27 cases were benign tumors, 14 cases metastatic malignant tumors, and 8 cases primary malignant tumors. 2] Twenty-six cases [50%] of tumors of the chest wall were on the bony cage. Among them benign tumors were 9 cases [35%], metastatic malignant tumors 14 cases [53%], and primary malignant tumors 3 cases [12%]. Of these, 24 cases were located on the ribs and 2 cases on the sternum.3] The malignant tumors of bony chest wall were excised in en bloc resection including involved ribs. The wide defects of bony chest wall were reconstructed by means of displacement of neighboring ribs and mobilized diaphragm, in the two osteogenic sarcomas of rib, and of prosthesis with silastic sheets in one rhabdomyosarcoma and one metastatic adenocarcinoma of lung.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2015

A case report of a patient who developed radiation-induced sarcoma in the left chest wall is presented. The patient had partial mastectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy (total dose, 5,220 cGy) and chemotherapy. Five years later, she visited with rapidly growing mass with central ulceration in the irradiated chest wall. The mass was diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The chest wall mass resected en bloc ($23{\times}18cm$) including five consecutive ribs. After the defected thoracic cage was reinforced using a polytetrafluoroethylene patch, omental flap and split thickness skin graft was done for soft tissue coverage. We applied negative pressure wound closer system for effective suction of omeantal exudate. The wound healed without complications. The patient suffered no perioperative pulmonary complications. Pulmonary function tests showed no significant changes. Each of Gore-Tex, omental flap, negative pressure wound therapy and skin graft is widely used method. However, If these methods are used in combination, we can reconstruct the large defect of chest wall including multiple ribs without any repiratory function problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.422-426
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• 1994

Recently, we experienced one case of multiple ribs fracture with large chest wall defects. This patient was treated with internal fixation of ribs by use of Judet`s struts and reconstruction of chest wall defects by use of Teflon mesh. Postoperative outcome was satisfactory result and its advantages were reduced duration of operation, prevention of pulmonary herniation and reduced risk of postoperative infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4535-4538
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• 2014

Objective: To explore the value of porous titanium alloy plates for chest wall reconstruction after resection of chest wall tumors. Materials and Methods: A total of 8 patients with chest wall tumors admitted in our hospital from Jan. 2006 to Jan. 2009 were selected and underwent tumor resection, then chest wall repair and reconstruction with porous titanium alloy plates for massive chest wall defects. Results: All patients completed surgery successfully with tumor resection-induced chest wall defects being $6.5{\times}7cm{\sim}12{\times}15.5$ cm in size. Two weeks after chest wall reconstruction, only 1 patient had subcutaneous fluidify which healed itself after pressure bandaging following fluid drainage. Postoperative pathological reports showed 2 patients with costicartilage tumors, 1 with squamous cell carcinoma of lung, 1 with lung adeno-carcinoma, 1 with malignant lymphoma of chest wall, 2 with chest wall metastasis of breast cancers and 1 with chest wall neurofibrosarcoma. All patients had more than 2~5 years of follow-up, during which time 1 patient with breast cancer had surgical treatment due to local recurrence after 7 months and none had chest wall reconstruction associated complications. The mean survival time of patients with malignant tumors was ($37.3{\pm}5.67$) months. Conclusions: Porous titanium alloy plates are safe and effective in the chest wall reconstruction after resection of chest tumors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 1994

We have experienced a case of ventricular septal defect due to blunt chest trauma. A 22 year old male patient was admitted due to chest pain after Motor cycle accident on July 1st,1993. On 5th hospital day, sudden onset of dyspnea was noted and auscultation represented newly developed systolic murmur. A cardiac catheterization and Left ventriculogram revealed ruptured septum at the apical portion. Because there was open wound on anterior chest wall and congestive heart failure was medically controlled, the patient was discharged for elective operation. He was readmitted on August 14th, 1993.At operation, ventricular septal defect was found in apico-posterior muscular septal area, about 2.0 x 1.5 cm in size. The defect was repaired by double velour patch with interrupted suture and ventriculotomy was closed with Teflon felt. The patient`s postoperative course was uneventful and discharged 10 days postoperatively without complication. The patient have been followed up~ for 2 months. He is on functional class I with small amount of residual shunt at the ventricular septum.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 1974

Primary tumors of the chest wall are rare than those of other portions of the body. Soft tissue tumors of the chest wall, though these are benign or malignant, should not be paid special attentions about their management than other soft tissue tumors of the body. Thoracic skeletal tumors, however, have some problems in the treatment because of defect in chest wall leading to herniation of lung and paradoxical movement of thoracic cage. The authors experienced 10 case of primary chest wall tumors at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, the national medical center, during last 15 years. Five of 10 cases were soft tissue tumors, and they were 2 case of lipoma and each one case of myxosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Among 5 bone tumors there no cases of sternal tumor, and their histopathological diagnosis were each one of fibrous dysplasia, giant cell tumor, osteochondroma, Ewing`s sarcoma and osteogenic sarcoma. Wide excision, though it was palliative one in certain case, was performed in 9 cases and only diagnostic incisional biopsy in one case, There were no postoperative deaths during admission to the hospital and all cases were missed during short term follow up after discharge from the hospital.