title: New trends in skeletal reconstruction after resection of chest wall tumors.
abstract: Involvement of the chest wall in malignant tumors, either primary or resulting from contiguous or metastatic spread, occurs in less than 5% of thoracic malignancies. From 1963 through 1978, 155 patients had chest wall resection in continuity with the tumor. Eighty-five tumors were carcinomas, and 70 were sarcomas. Since 1973 reconstruction of chest wall defects in 12 patients has included the use of a composite of Marlex mesh and methyl methacrylate. It provides an excellent replacement both physiologically and esthetically. Such a reconstructed chest wall has obviated the need for postoperative respiratory support. The overall mortality was 4.5% (7 out of 155). The 5-year survival in this varied group of patients is 20%. We believe excellent palliation can be achieved even in patients who are not potentially curable.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000601:surgery*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates