7.P.05 STERNAL RESECTIONS FOR PRIMARY OR SECONDARY TUMOURS: SURGICAL MANAGEMENT AND SURVIVAL

Sternal resection is commonly performed for primary and metastatic chest wall tumours involving the sternum or the ribs near the sternum and, in case of wide resections, it is necessary to restore the stability of the chest wall. We analyze our experience with emphasis on surgical management and survival. From 2001 to 2007, 16 patients underwent surgical resection of the sternum for malignant lesions: 10 (62.5%) primary lesions (chondorsarcoma n=8; osteosarcoma n=2) and 6 (37.5%) secondary lesions (4 local recurrence from breast cancer and 2 metastases). We performed 12 partial resections (resected area from 65 to 20 %), 2 subtotal resections (about 90% of total area) and 1 total resection. Chest wall stability was obtained by prosthetic material, rigid and non rigid, and muscolar flaps. As non rigid material we used a polytetrafluoroethylene patch (Gore-tex Dual Mesh Plus) while replacement after total sternectomy was performed using a new rigid system of mould-able titanium connecting bars and rib clips (Strasbourg Thoracic Osteosyntheses System, Medxpert, GMbH). Prosthetic material was combined in 3 cases with a latissimus dorsi muscolar flap, in 1 case with a vertical rectus abdominis muscolar flap, in 12 with a pectoralis major flap. There was no perioperative mortality or significant morbidity. All patients were extubated within 24 hours after operation. At a mean follow-up of 44.1 months (range 82–14), 5 years actuarial survival for primary tumours was 85%, while 3 years actuarial survival after resection of secondary tumours was 39% (median 20,5 months). In case of primary lesion wide resection with tumour-free margins is necessary to minimize local recurrence and to contribute to long-term survival; reconstruction with a rigid system composed of mould-able titanium bars and rib clips allows to plan extensive demolition minimizing the risk of chest wall instability. In metastatic disease surgery can provide good palliation, although survival is poor.