Preserving the posterior cortex of the sternum during resection of a superficial anterior chest wall sarcoma. Issue 10 (28th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakamoto, Akio; Tsuge, Itaru; Noguchi, Takashi; Matsuda, Shuichi
• Is Part Of: Journal of surgical case reports. Volume 2021:Issue 10(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-28
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjab450
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Following resection of a sternal tumor, respiratory dysfunction can occur and rigid reconstruction is necessary. An 82-year-old woman noted a mass in the anterior chest wall that was increasing in size. The tumor was located on the left aspect of the sternum at the level of the third rib. A radiation-induced malignant spindle cell tumor was diagnosed because of a history of irradiation for hilar lymph node carcinoma. The tumor was resected with the surrounding tissues of the second-to-fourth ribs and sternum. The posterior sternal cortex was preserved by cutting with a curved chisel under fluoroscopy. The chest wall defect was reconstructed with a 2-mm thick Gore-Tex® sheet and a local transpositional flap. Sternal resection with a chisel under fluoroscopy avoids damage to the internal thoracic artery. Preserving the posterior sternal cortex does not require rigid reconstruction. The procedure is minimally invasive.