Abstract:

Chest wall sarcoma is a malignant tumor that originates in chest wall, and its treatment is mainly based on surgical resection. Large chest wall defects following the excision of extensive tumors necessitate structural reconstruction to preserve thoracic stability and prevent paradoxical respiration. This report presents a complex case of a patient with recurrent giant chest wall sarcoma treated in our department. The patient had previously underwent treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and anti-angiogenic targeted therapy. This year, the tumor had recurred. Our department, in collaboration with the orthopedic department, performed a chest wall tumor resection accompanied by carbon fiber artificial rib reconstruction and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transplantation. The patient exhibited stable thoracic architecture postoperatively, and the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap healed well. This case is presented to provide insights and a potential reference for the management of complex chest wall tumors.

Key words: thoracic wall tumor, thoracic wall reconstruction, carbon fiber artificial ribs, muscle flap transplantation