Project description:BackgroundThree-dimensional (3D) printing of implantable materials is a recent technological advance that is available for clinical application. The most common medical application of 3D printing in plastic surgery is in the field of craniomaxillofacial surgery. There have been few applications of this technology in other areas.MethodsHere, we discuss a case of a large, symptomatic composite thoracic and abdominal defect resulting from the resection of a chondrosarcoma of the costal marginand sections of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, and sternum. The initial and second attempts at reconstruction failed, resulting in a massive hernia. Given the size of the defect, the contiguity with a large abdominal wall defect, and the high risk of recurrence, a rigid thoracic reconstruction was essential to durably repair the thoracic hernia and serve as a scaffold to which both the diaphragm and the abdominal mesh could be secured. A custom-made plate offered the most durable and anatomically accurate reconstruction in this particular clinical scenario. This technology was used in concert with a single section of coated mesh for reconstruction of the diaphragm, chest wall, and abdominal wall.ResultsThere were no post-operative complications. The patient has improvement of his symptoms and increased functional capacity. There is no evidence of hernia recurrence 1.5 years after repair.Conclusions3D printing technology proved to be a useful and effective application for reconstruction of this large thoracic defect involving the costal margin. It is an available technology that should be considered for reconstruction of rigid structures with defect-specific precision.
Project description:Three-dimensional printed (3DP) implant offers a valid option with perfect anatomic fitting in individual and skeletal reconstruction of the chest wall. Herein, we present the case of a patient with a large chest wall tumor, where an extensive chest wall defect was repaired using 3DP polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) implants. Surgical treatment planning was performed according to the computed tomography (CT) images in DICOM format. A 3DP implant was then design and fabricated. A wide excision of the chest wall tumor was performed, including the entire sternum, 2-6 costal cartilage and ribs, and parietal pleura. Furthermore, a skeletal reconstruction was carried out using a 3DP PEEK implant. The patient recovered well without surgical complications or tumor recurrence in the following year. In general, 3DP PEEK implant is an appropriate alternative for chest wall reconstruction. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Skeletal reconstruction after wide excision of the chest wall remains a challenging problem for clinicians. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: 3DP PEEK implant is an appropriate alternative for chest wall reconstruction.
Project description:Chest wall reconstruction is challenging due to the complex shape and large defect size. The three-dimensional printing technology enables the fabrication of customized implants, and 3D-printed pure-titanium could provide superior mechanical properties to conventional materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of patients undergoing chest wall reconstruction with a 3D-printed pure-titanium implant. Between August 2018 and May 2021, 5 patients underwent surgery due to sternal metastasis (n = 3), postoperative sternal wound infection (n = 1) and deformity (n = 1). The customized implant was designed and constructed based on the size and shape of the chest wall defect measured on computed tomography. All patients demonstrated uneventful recovery without complications during the hospital course. During the median follow-up of 20 months, 1 patient underwent revision surgery due to implant breakage, and 1 removed the implant due to trauma-related chest wall infection. One patient died from cancer progression, while 3 patients are alive without any implant-related complications. Chest wall reconstruction using a 3D-printed pure-titanium implant could be a novel alternative for patients with various conditions affecting the sternum and ribs.
Project description:3D-printing technologies can assist the surgical planning and prosthesis engineering for the management of extended chest wall resection. Different types of prosthesis have been utilized over time, but some concerns remain about their impact on the respiratory function. Here we present a new kind of 3D-printed titanium prosthesis designed to be either strong and flexible. The prosthesis was created on a 1:1 3D-printed anatomic replica of the chest, used to delineate surgical margins and to define the reconstructive requirements.
Project description:Chest wall tumours are heterogeneous neoplasms, either primary or metastatic, with a malignancy rate of 50%. Surgical resection is one of the mainstays of the treatment, however, chest wall resections can be particularly challenging depending onto the resection size, site and patient habitus. The surgical strategy should be carefully analysed preoperatively, keeping in mind the need of an oncological radical resection (R0) in accordance to the reconstruction principles elicited by le Roux and Sherma since 1983, which include restoring the chest wall rigidity, preserving pulmonary mechanics, protect the intrathoracic organs, avoiding paradox movements of the chest cavity and, possibly, to reduce the thoracic deformity. In this context, we herewith report our surgical reconstruction technique following an anterior chest wall resection and sternal body wedge for a primary chest wall tumour (chondrosarcoma).
Project description:Computer modeling and 3D printing has found wide-scale applicability in pre- and intraoperative meticulous planning of surgery. Dr. Harsh Singh from Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand, discusses its current and future role in chest wall reconstruction.
Project description:BackgroundChest wall disease is a common disease in thoracic surgery. For most chest wall lesions, surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. Reconstruction is indicated for a wide range of chest wall defects. Currently, various reconstruction materials are used in clinic, including 3D printing materials and various types of metal materials. At present, most of the studies using titanium sternum-rib fixation system for reconstruction are case reports. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the experience to discuss our essential surgical techniques for treating various types of chest wall reconstruction with a titanium sternum-rib fixation system over the last 5 years.Case descriptionA retrospective analysis was performed on patients with chest wall tumors treated with a titanium sternum-rib fixation system in our center from 2016 to 2020. Chest wall reconstruction techniques, experiences, postoperative complications, and quality of life including chest discomfort, chronic pain, average time to return to normal life, chest wall deformity after resection for various types of chest wall tumors were analyzed. In this study, a total of 57 patients were successfully operated without chest wall deformity and return to daily life early. With an average of 2.3 ribs removed, including 10 procedures involving sternotomy and reconstruction and 3 procedures involving sternoclavicular joint resection and reconstruction. The follow-up time of the whole group ranged from 3 months to 5 years. Postoperative chest discomfort occurred in 6 patients during follow-up; 2 patients had chronic pain. The average time to return to normal life was 1.4 months. One patient developed a deformed depression of the chest wall, and 2 patients developed wound infections. There was no perioperative death.ConclusionsIn our clinical experience, the titanium sternum-rib fixation system is safe, effective, and feasible. The technique is straightforward. The early and middle postoperative curative effect is satisfactory and can be used clinically.
Project description:Chest wall tumor resection can result in a large defect that can pose a challenge in reconstruction in restoring chest wall contour, maintaining respiratory mechanics, and improving cosmesis. Titanium plates were first introduced for treating a traumatic flail chest, which yielded promising results in restoring chest wall stability. Subsequently, the applications of titanium plates in chest wall reconstruction surgery were demonstrated in case reports and series. Our center has adopted this technique for a decade, and patients are actively followed up after operation. Here, we retrospectively analyze our 10-year experience of using titanium plates and other reconstruction approaches for chest wall reconstruction, in terms of clinical outcomes, complications, and reasons for reoperation to determine long-term safety and efficacy. Thirty-eight patients who underwent chest wall resection and reconstruction surgery were identified. Of these, 11 had titanium plate insertion, 11 had patch repair or flap reconstruction, and the remaining 16 had primary closure of defects. Chest wall reconstruction using titanium plate(s) and patch repair (with or without flap reconstruction) was associated with larger chest wall defects and more sternal resections than primary closure. Subgroup analysis also showed that reconstruction by the titanium plate technique was associated with larger chest wall defects than patch repair or flap reconstruction [286.80 cm2 vs. 140.91 cm2 (p = 0.083)]. There was no 30-day hospital mortality. Post-operative arrhythmia was more commonly seen following chest wall reconstruction compared with primary closure (p = 0.041). Furthermore, more wound infections were detected following the use of titanium plate reconstruction compared with the patch repair (with or without flap reconstruction) approach (p = 0.027). In conclusion, the titanium plate system is a safe, effective, and robust approach for chest wall reconstruction surgery, especially in tackling larger defect sizes.