Thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the sternum: Resection and reconstruction

Metastases of thyroid carcinoma to the sternum are not so frequent and abla tive surgery enables the patients to live longer with a better quality of l ife. After such a resection, the surgical defect has to be covered either b y autogenous or artificial substitutes. We present a 62 years old patient with an asymptomatic sternal metastasis o f a poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma. After radical excis ion, including the sternum, both clavicular heads and an upper mediastinal dissection, the defect was reconstructed in two layers, combining a Marlex mesh and a pedicled pectoralis major muscle flap. Postoperative course was uneventful and respiratory function was not disturbed.