Reconstruction of the Thoracic Wall With Biologic Mesh After Resection for Chest Wall Tumors: A Presentation of a Case Series and Original Technique:

Introduction. Synthetic materials have traditionally been used for tissue reconstruction in thoracic surgery. New biomaterials have been tested in other areas of surgery with good results. Non–cross-linked swine dermal collagen prosthesis has been used to reconstruct musculofascial defects in the trunk with low infection and herniation rate. Material and Methods. Retrospectively, we analyze our initial experience of chest wall reconstruction on large defects using a non–cross-linked swine dermal collagen matrix mesh with a thickness of 1.4 mm. A total of 11 consecutive patients were included. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were taken into consideration. Results. Eleven sarcoma patients with a mean age of 58.25 ± 12.9 years underwent chest wall resections. Complete thoracic wall defects ranged from 6 · 9 to 16 · 25 cm in size. In all cases, we used a porcine collagen matrix mesh, and in all patients, it was covered by transposition of myocutaneous flap. The complications occurred in 5...