Archives of Plastic Surgery (Nov 2018)

Complex sternal and rib reconstruction with allogeneic material

  • Charles Miles Maliska III,
  • Robert Lloyd Archer,
  • Sharon Kaye Tarpley,
  • Archibald Sanford Miller III

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2017.00122
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 06
pp. 593 – 597

Abstract

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Sternal malunion, or loss, developed after a median sternotomy cannot only be difficult to manage and treat, but also may diminish one’s quality-of-life drastically. The technique presented here represents a multispecialty approach in one stage for the reconstruction of an unstable thoracic cage. The procedure utilized a donated sternum and ribs. The sternum with ribs harvested from a single donor included adipose derived stromal vascular fraction (ADSVF) cells with marrow also from the same donor. Autologous muscle flaps, stabilized with acellular dermal matrix were utilized to provide a robust blood supply to the ADSVF cells and bone grafts. Acellular dermal matrix was used to construct the ribs and stabilize the plugs of stem cells and bone. These procedures, in the hands of multispecialty physicians, have led to several successful reconstructions involving complex chest wall deformities. This surgical intervention was performed in a one stage operation. This represents the first successful complete sternal transplant in a patient with return to normal activities and increased quality-of-life.

Keywords