Reconstruction of chest wall defects after rib tumor resection: a comparison of autogenous, prosthetic, and composite techniques in 44 dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare short- and long-term outcome and complications of chest wall reconstruction in dogs using autogenous, prosthetic, and composite autogenous-prosthetic techniques.


METHODS
Historical cohort.


METHODS
Dogs (n=44) with spontaneous tumors arising from or involving the chest wall.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for dogs with rib and/or sternal tumors treated by chest wall resection and reconstruction. Signalment, preoperative clinical features, intraoperative findings and complications, reconstruction technique (autogenous muscle flap, prosthetic mesh, or composite autogenous-prosthetic technique), and short- (< or =14 days) and long-term (>14 days) postoperative complications were determined from the medical records and telephone contact with owners and referring veterinarians. Associations between chest wall reconstruction technique and postoperative complications were tested with Cox proportional hazards.


RESULTS
Chest wall defects were reconstructed with autogenous muscle flaps (29 dogs), prosthetic mesh (3), and a composite technique of prosthetic mesh and either autogenous muscle or omental pedicle flap (12). Early postoperative complications were recorded in 8 dogs (18.2%) and included seroma (5) and pleural effusion and peripheral edema (3). One dog had a late complication (2.3%) with a mesh-related infection 767 days postoperatively. Overall, complications occurred in 10.3% of autogenous, 25.0% of composite, and 66.7% of prosthetic reconstructions. Chest wall reconstruction with Marlex mesh alone was associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative complications compared with autogenous reconstruction (P=.027). Reconstruction of sternal defects (3), 2 of which were performed with Marlex mesh alone, was associated with a significantly increased risk of complications compared with lateral chest wall reconstructions (P=.037).


CONCLUSIONS
Large chest wall defects can be reconstructed with autogenous and composite techniques, but prosthetic mesh should be covered with well-vascularized autogenous muscle or omentum to decrease the risk of postoperative complications. Sternal defects should be reconstructed with rigid techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Chest wall reconstruction with autogenous muscle flaps or a combination of autogenous techniques with prosthetic mesh is associated with a low rate of infection and other complications.
Liptak
Julius M
JM
Animal Cancer Center and Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. juliusliptak@mac.com
Dernell
William S
WS
Rizzo
Scott A
SA
Monteith
Gabrielle J
GJ
Kamstock
Debra A
DA
Withrow
Stephen J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012272:Ribs / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000662:veterinary; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome