Is myocutaneous flap alone sufficient for reconstruction of chest wall osteoradionecrosis?
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to determine whether the myocutaneous flap, alone, is sufficient to reconstruct a chest wall defect after osteoradionecrosis and provide satisfactory stability to the chest wall.


METHODS
This study involved five patients who were subjected to post-mastectomy radiotherapy as a treatment for breast cancer. Excision of the ulcer and all the necrotic ribs, with preservation of the parietal pleura and reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi flap, was done without the use of either an artificial prosthesis or autologous rib to reconstruct the chest wall defect.


RESULTS
Clinical and radiological follow-up showed no complications regarding respiratory impairment or pleural complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of myocutaneous flap in patients with chest wall defect following osteoradionecrosis is satisfactory to cover the chest wall defect and provide satisfactory stability to the chest wall.
Department of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. plasticconsult@gmail.com
Mohamed
M
Makboul
Mohamed A K
MA
Salama Ayyad
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome