Resection of Sternal Tumors and Reconstruction of the Thorax: A Review of 15 Patients

Purpose We report our experience of resecting sternal tumors, followed by reconstruction of the skeletal and soft-tissue defects, and discuss the usefulness of sandwiched Marlex and stainless-steel mesh. Methods Fifteen patients underwent resection of a sternal tumor and chest wall reconstruction with autologous bone grafts, sandwiched Marlex and stainless-steel mesh or a titanium plate, and musculocutaneous flaps. The sternal tumors were from locally recurrent breast carcinoma in ten patients, metastasis from other organs in three, and primary chondrosarcoma in two. Results All patients were extubated without paradoxical respiration just after surgery. There was no operative mortality. A wound infection developed in the acute phase after a sandwiched Marlex and stainless-steel mesh reconstruction in one patient. A second repair with Marlex and stainless-steel mesh was required in two patients; for flail chest after an autologous bone graft in one; and following re-recurrence of breast carcinoma in another patient who had undergone a musculocutaneous flap repair. No signs of breakdown, dislodgment, severe depression, or deformity were seen in any of the six patients who underwent reconstruction with Marlex and stainless-steel mesh during a median follow-up period of 56 months. Conclusions Wide resection of sternal tumors provides good local control. Reconstruction with Marlex and stainless-steel mesh seems to be the most effective technique for repairing a wide anterior chest wall defect.