Repair of large chest wall defects: experience with 23 patients.

The repair of large chest wall defects has been done on 23 patients who had 28 operations. Twenty-two patients had a neoplasm of the thoracic cage, while 1 had a large inflammatory mass. Nine patients had a partial lung and 3 a partial diaphragmatic resection done en bloc with the ribs. Seven resections were on the sternum. The repair was made either with a soft prosthesis (nylon mesh in 3 and Marlex mesh in 12 operations) or with a composite prosthesis of methyl methacrylate and metallic or Marlex mesh (13 operations). The association of methyl methacrylate and Marlex combines the solidity and the easy shaping of methyl methacrylate with the advantages of the mesh for an easy fixation and excellent incorporation. When the skin and the muscles are resected with the osteocartilaginous wall, an omentum flap is placed between the skin and the prosthesis to facilitate healing. There was one postoperative wound infection, which cleared with appropriate antibiotics. No prosthesis has extruded. The cosmetic and functional results are satisfactory. Repair of very large chest wall defects after resection can be done safely.