title: [Use and versatility of titanium for the reconstruction of the thoracic wall].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chest wall deformities/defects and chest wall resections, as well as complex rib fractures require reconstruction with various prosthetic materials to ensure the basic functions of the chest wall. Titanium provides many features that make it an ideal material for this surgery. The aim is to present our initial results with this material in several diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2008 to 2012, 14 patients were operated on and titanium was used for reconstruction of the chest wall. A total of 7 patients had chest wall tumors, 2 with sternal resection, 4 patients with chest wall deformities/defects and 3 patients with severe rib injury due to traffic accident.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reconstruction was successful in all cases, with early extubation without detecting problems in the functionality of the chest wall at a respiratory level. Patients with chest wall tumors including sternal resections were extubated in the operating room as well as the chest wall deformities. Chest trauma cases were extubated within 24h from internal rib fixation. There were no complications related to the material used and the method of implementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Titanium is an ideal material for reconstruction of the chest wall in several clinical situations allowing for great versatility and adaptability in different chest wall reconstructions.
authors: Unidad de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital del Vinalopó, Elche, Alicante, España. Electronic address: jmcorcoles@vinaloposalud.com.
authors: Juan Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Córcoles Padilla
authors: Unidad de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, España.
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Bolufer Nadal
authors: Unidad de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital del Vinalopó, Elche, Alicante, España.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Kurowski
authors: Unidad de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, España.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Gálvez Muñoz
authors: Unidad de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, España.
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Rodriguez Paniagua
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012272:Ribs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium
keywords: Chest wall reconstructions; Reconstrucción pared torácica; STRATOS; Titanio; Titanium