Massive chondrosarcoma of sternum: A surgical challenge in resection and reconstruction of a rare tumor

Introduction: Reconstruction of chest wall defects remains a very challenging issue and often requires prosthetic repair to prevent flail chest and paradoxical breathing. Case Report: We report a case of chest wall reconstruction following resection of a long standing, massive, well differentiated, primary chondrosarcoma of the sternum which was involving the entire body of sternum and adjoining costal cartilages. Excision of entire sternum (except manubrium) and 3rd to 8th ribs left a large defect (20x15 cm) in the chest wall which was reconstructed with a simple and new three layer technique using Prolene-Vicryl mesh, long split rib grafts and lattissimus dorsi muscle (LD) flap. Patient was weaned off the ventilator on seventh post operative day and discharged after four weeks. Conclusion: This is a simple chest wall reconstruction technique for wide chest wall defects and is effective, safe, low cost and easily reproducible.