Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of chest wall reconstruction using a relatively new expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis Gore-Tex^® dual mesh.
Methods: We reviewed charts of 11 patients who underwent bony chest wall resection from April 2006 to January 2011.
Results: Six patients underwent three ribs resection, three patients underwent two ribs resection, and the other two patients underwent sternal resection. Of six patients after three ribs resection, three underwent reconstruction using 2 mm Gore-Tex^® dual mesh, one using Gore-Tex^®, one using Bard composite E/X, and the remaining one used no prosthesis. Three patients who underwent two ribs resection underwent no chest wall reconstruction using prosthesis. Two patients who underwent sternal resection underwent chest wall reconstruction using dual mesh with or without a vascularized musculocutaneous pedicle flap. Immediate postoperative extubation was performed in all patients, except one who was extubated the following day. No postoperative deaths or cases with paradoxical respiration occurred.
Conclusion: Chest wall reconstruction using Gore-Tex^® dual mesh demonstrated acceptable durability.