title: Reconstruction of the chestwall and thorax.
abstract: Chest wall reconstructions can be complex and challenging procedures and may require a multidisciplinary approach. The most common indications for chest wall reconstruction are the repair of defects due to tumor ablation, infection, radiation necrosis, congenital deformities, and trauma. Flap reconstruction by plastic surgery is often required when skin is removed as part of the chest wall resection or when radiation therapy is given pre- or post-operatively. Tissue flaps may be needed to provide vascularized tissue over alloplastic materials used to stabilize the chest wall, to cover vital structures of the chest cavity, to fill dead space, and to improve cosmesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230-1402, USA.
authors.forename: Roman J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Skoracki
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery*