A Rectus Abdominis Muscle Flap for Chest Wall Resection and Reconstruction for Malignant Breast Cancer Relapse

Abstract

Reconstruction of postoperative chest wall defects with a rectus abdominis muscle flap is a relatively rare technique. We present a case of a 78-year-old woman who was operated 11 years ago for solid papillary carcinoma of the left mammary gland with ipsilateral axillary lymph node dissection, after which she underwent two operations for local relapse. Because of a new relapse, resection and reconstruction of the chest wall with polypropylene mesh and the right rectus abdominis muscle were performed.

Keywords

• musculus rectus abdominis flap
• chest wall resection and reconstruction