[Plastic reconstruction of chest wall defects and residual pleural cavities].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the results of plastic reconstructions of the infected chest wall defects using either muscular, or omental flaps.


METHODS
There were 29 thoracic reconstructions performed in the Clinic of Thoracic Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, due to infected chest wall defects in the last 30 months. In 14 cases (48.3%) pedicled omental flaps and in 15 cases (51.7%) muscular flaps were used. The groups of patients were comparable according to gender, age, underlying pathology, and perioperative risk. The retrospective analysis of case reports was carried out; the duration of the surgery and of postoperative stay, as well as morbidity were analyzed.


RESULTS
Only duration of the surgery differed statistically significantly (255+/-21 min in the first and 172+/-34 min in the second group), but there was a tendency the morbidity to be lower in the group of pedicled omental flaps.


CONCLUSIONS
The pedicled omental flaps could be used safely and successfully for reconstruction of infected chest wall defects.
Gradauskas
Paulius
P
Clinic of Thoracic Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Eiveniu 2, 3007 Kaunas, Lithuania. torchir@takas.lt
Rubikas
Romaldas
R
Danilavicius
Mindaugas
M
D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors