title: Huge Chest Wall Tumour Resection and Reconstruction using Titanium Mesh.
abstract: Malignant chest wall tumour is rare. The presentation is usually aggressive that requires extensive resection to prevent recurrence. However, the extensive resection is to the expense of causing defect on the chest wall and hence, respiratory mechanics. Two cases of chest wall tumour are discussed including the surgical approach of radical tumour resection which was combined with placement of titanium mesh and Tranverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneus (TRAM) flap to cover the defect and preserve respiratory mechanical functions. The morbidity of using titanium mesh demonstrated in the case series were infection and injury to surrounding tissue due to its rigidity and large size which required its removal. However the formation of 'pseudopleura' made the thoracic cage return back as closed cavity even after the removal of the titanium mesh and allow normal respiratory functions.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit, Surgical Science Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohammad Razi
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Adli Azam
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Raja Mokhtar
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Raja Amin
keywords: chest wall; mesh; reconstruction; titanium; tumour