Osteoradionecrosis of the chest wall. Management of postresection defects using Marlex mesh and a rotated latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap.

Full thickness chest wall resection and single stage reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis of the chest wall was performed on five patients. All patients had undergone radical mastectomy and radiation therapy from 5 to 18 years prior to chest wall resection. Defects varied from 12 X 5 cm to 15 X 15 cm, and included from two to four ribs. Reconstruction was performed using Marlex mesh to reconstruct the bony thorax and a rotated latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Coverage was successfully performed in all cases, and no patient experienced postoperative pulmonary dysfunction. There were no complications related to either the bony thorax reconstruction or the latissimus flap. The use of this technique has provided a safe, convenient, and reliable method of chest wall reconstruction.