Chest Wall Reconstruction

About Chest Wall Reconstruction

“Rebuilding the chest. Restoring protection. Reviving confidence.”

Chest wall reconstruction is a surgical procedure to rebuild the bones, muscles, and soft tissues of the chest that have been damaged or removed due to:

Why is it needed?

The chest wall protects your heart and lungs and supports breathing. When part of it is removed or damaged, reconstruction is done to:

  • Restore chest stability and structure
  • Protect the lungs, heart, and major vessels
  • Maintain normal breathing mechanics
  • Improve appearance and body image
  • Reduce the risk of herniation or respiratory complications

What does the surgery involve?

Depending on the size and location of the defect, the surgeon may use a combination of
materials and techniques, including:

Rigid Reconstruction (for bone and structure)

  • Titanium mesh, plates, or custom-made prosthetic materials are used to
    rebuild parts of ribs or sternum.
  • Maintains chest wall strength and breathing function.

Soft Tissue Coverage (for skin and muscle)

  • To cover the defect and protect the internal organs, various flaps are used:
  • Latissimus dorsi muscle flap (from the back)
  • Pectoralis major flap (from the chest itself)
  • Omental flap (from inside the abdomen)
  • Free flaps (like ALT flap) in complex cases

Recovery & Results:

  • Hospital Stay: 5–10 days
  • Drain and wound care for 1–2 weeks
  • Gradual return to normal breathing and mobility
  • Physical therapy may be needed for chest strength and posture

With proper reconstruction, most patients regain full lung function, chest
shape, and body confidence.

Final Note:

Chest wall reconstruction is not just about structure — it’s about restoring safety, function, and confidence after life-saving surgeries or trauma.

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