[Various possibilities of reconstruction of the thoracic wall in radiation defects].

Reconstruction of the thoracic wall is often necessary after cancer surgery of the breast or irradiation. The resulting large defects often cause an instable thoracic wall. To reconstruct stability, we can use fascia or dura mater. The large defects can be closed either by latissimus flap, or, if the thoracodorsal artery is destroyed, which is often the case by rotating flaps according to the technique of Schrudde or Bohmert, in very rare cases by distant flaps from the neighbouring upper arm.