Chest wall reconstruction with autologas rib grafts in dogs and report of a clinic case

Objective. Nowadays, in chest wall reconstruction prosthetic materials are generally used. However, the rejections of prosthetic materials and infecti ons frequently occur in chest wall reconstruction, especially after radioth erapy or resection that is performed due to infections. Methods: We used 10 mongrel dogs and performed resections of 8 cm diameter on their chest wall s. In the reconstruction of these defects, in five of the subjects, we used two free rib grafts with periosteum to be resected from the contralateral side and in other five subjects, we used free rib grafts without periosteum . After this experimental study, sternal resection was performed in a 24-ye ar-old man because of sternal osteomyelitis. First to obtain rib grafts wit h periosteum, partial resection was performed to 5th, 7th, and 9th ribs of the lateral left side. After, total sternal resection, end to end anastomos is was performed to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th anterior ends of the ribs. Re sults: Autogeneous rib grafts were found to be enough to provide chest wall stabilization. Conclusions: The contralateral autogeneous free rib grafts can successfully be used in reconstruction of wide chest wall defects. This method is found to be effective and sufficient to prevent infection, rejec tion and to provide stabilization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.