RECONSTRUCTION OF CHEST-WALL DEFECTS FOLLOWING EXTIRPATIVE SURGERY

Reconstructive procedures following chest wall resection pose a special surgical challenge. With modem surgical technique, a wide range of reconstructive options are at the surgeon's disposal and, hence it is imperative that the appropriate procedure be selected in a given patient. A total of 64 patients underwent resection of malignant chest wall tumors at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The technique of preference at our institution for reconstruction of full-thickness chest wall defects uses a combination of autogenous fascia lata and Marlex(R) mesh. We present our experience with chest wall reconstruction following extirpative surgery in these patients. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.