title: Omental flap and titanium plates provide structural stability and protection of the mediastinum after extensive sternocostal resection.
abstract: Major tenets in the reconstruction of the anterolateral chest wall include preservation of structural stability and function and coverage of the mediastinal contents. To reach these goals, a rigid support has been advocated by several authors. We describe a patient with extensive anterolateral defect after sternocostal resection of chondrosarcoma. Successful reconstruction was performed by using three metallic transverse plates and an omental flap wrapped onto the plates. This method simplifies reconstruction in comparison with previously described techniques concerning complete solid coverage and leaves several options intact in the event of future recurrences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology and Department of Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Pascale Foundation, Naples, Italy. gaetano.rocco@btopenworld.com
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fazioli
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: La Manna
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Rocca
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palaia
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martucci
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvi
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D001860:Bone Plates; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation*; D012272:Ribs / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium