OBJECTIVES To describe the management of thoracic reconstructions in the presence of primary chest-wall infection (PCWI) or secondary deep chest-wall infection (SCWI), focussing on local tolerance of a titanium rib osteosynthesis system. METHODS PCWI included infected chest wall tumours (CWT), infected T3 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and open flail chest. SCWI was defined by deep inf...

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 adjoinin...

Retrospective analysis of forty-two consecutive patients with flail chest injuries admitted to the Trauma Research Unit of the Naval Regional Medical Center, San Deigo from June 1972 to July 1975 compared ventilatory and nonventilatory management. The actual need for ventilatory support in these patients was determined by analyzing their records for evidence of significant pulmonary dysfunction...

OBJECTIVE The wisdom of surgery facing multiple and multi-focal ribs fractures (flail segment) remains controversial. By the present retrospective study, we sought to determine the advisability of surgery as well as the anatomical and biomechanical features of flail segment leading to secondary dislocation. METHOD From 1970 to 2000, 127 patients underwent flail segment osteosynthesis. Clinica...

PURPOSE Stabilization and replacement of ribs is still a challenge, because most available systems for intramedullary and extramedullary fixation are less than perfect. We present our experience with a modified device, which compensates for several disadvantages in other methods. DESCRIPTION Originating from the Strasbourg Thoracic Osteosyntheses System (STRATOS [MedXpert GmbH, Heitersheim, G...