Sternochondral allograft for chest wall reconstruction

Methods Since the beginning of 2012 four cases who have been presented with sternal tumors and one with post cardiac surgery infection were selected for chest wall reconstruction with bone allograft. One patient had missed diagnosis as a case of breast tumor with final diagnosis of synovial cell sarcoma. The other one had upper sternum bulging. Truecut biopsy was suggestive of myxoid tumor. Third patient had bulging mass in right upper ribs adjacent to sternum with final diagnosis of fibrous tumor. Fourth patient with morbid obesity had mediastinitis post CABG surgery. She had a total sternectomy with unstable chest wall. After fully evaluation and getting consent for bone allograft they were put on the list of sternochondral bone allograft from a heart beating donor. All operations were done within 1 month with consideration body size match. Sternum was used after processing by serial culture, freezing and sterilized with Ethylene Oxide. Allograft was fixed with Titanium microfixation after tailoring to fit perfectly the chest wall defect. Local muscle flap were used to cover the grafts.