[New reconstruction method for defect of chest wall using composite graft].
In the case of a 64-year-old man squamous cell carcinoma in the left lung with metastasis to the rib, we excised the affected portion of the chest wall and used a composite graft, a combination hydroxyapatite (HAP) filler, for reconstruction with good results. HAP filler is a ceramic that combines the calcium phosphate apatite hydroxide with 3-calcium phosphate. The Dacron fabric used was made of polyethylene terephthalate fiber. Two layers of Dacron fabric were laid together, stitched to the rib with nylon thread, and the resulting tubular cavity packed with HAP filler to create an artificial rib. The intercostal muscle was sandwiched between the layers of Dacron fabric and the ends of the natural rib laid across those of the artificial one. We used the periosteum and intercostal muscle to integrate the graft and complete reconstruction. Postoperative recovery was good, and there was no visible sign of deformation at the graft site. Even in palpation we were unable to tell that the rib was artificial.
Uchida
Y
Y
Department of Surgery, Nagoya National Hospital, Japan.
Yamada
K
K
Yamaguchi
K
K
Inoue
S
S
Sakai
M
M
Shinjou
K
K
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017886:Durapatite; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000379:methods
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D017886:Durapatite