Reconstruction of the chest wall in extensive oncological resections

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In spite of advances in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer, there are still cases that present with locally advanced disease. In this context, cancer control requires extensive resections and complex repair procedures. The participation of the plastic surgeon in the multidisciplinary cancer treatment teams has been increasingly important in both the planning and execution stages. The aim of this study is to prospectively analyze patients who underwent extensive chest resections and thoracic wall reconstruction with regard to their results and complications in the period 2014-2016. METHODS: Prospective 6-month follow-up of 15 patients who underwent extensive oncological resections in the chest and reconstruction by the same plastic surgeon in public hospitals of São Paulo was done. The following data were collected: age, diagnosis, preoperative complaint, extent of resection area, and incidence of local complications. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 49.2 years, the most common complaint was a papillary mass, the most common diagnosis was breast cancer (80%), the most resection area preserved was the muscular plane, and the mean resection area was 259.2 cm2. The V-Y latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was the most used, and the thoracoabdominal flap was the second. Epitheliolysis was detected in 13.3% of the patients, and partial necrosis less than 5% of the flap in 13.3%. CONCLUSION: In the present study, patients with extensive cancers in the thorax presented a challenge for local reconstruction, requiring detailed preoperative planning and multiple options. The participation of the plastic surgeon in the treatment of these patients contributed to the reduction of morbidity rate and low rate of complications.

Keywords

• reconstructive surgical procedures
• breast cancers
• mammoplasty
• thoracic wall
• soft tissue cancer