HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Sridhar Rathinam Rajamiyer Venkateswaran Pala B. Rajesh Francis J. Collins Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rathinam, S. Articles by Collins, F. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rathinam, S. Articles by Collins, F. J. Related Collections Chest wall Diaphragm

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2004;26:197-201
© 2004 Elsevier Science NL

Reconstruction of the chest wall and the diaphragm using the inverted Y Marlex methylmethacrylate sandwich flap

Regional Department of Thoracic Surgery, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK

Received 19 December 2003; received in revised form 28 February 2004; accepted 1 March 2004.

^* Corresponding author. Address: Department of Cardio thoracic Surgery, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital for Children, Steel House Lane, Birmingham, UK. Tel.: +44-121-333-9441; fax: +44-121-333-9435
e-mail: srathinam{at}rcsed.ac.uk

Objective: Chest wall resection and reconstruction is a demanding operation involving a dedicated team. It can be performed with minimal mortality with excellent cosmetic and functional results using various substitutes. However, reconstructing the lower costal margin with diaphragmatic resection is a challenging prospect needing special techniques. Methods: We describe a technique of reconstructing the chest wall defect involving the lower costal margin and diaphragm with an Inverted Y Marlex Methylmethacrylate Sandwich Flap. Results: There were no intra operative or postoperative complications and immediate extubation was possible in all six patients without the need for postoperative ventilation. There was a good functional and cosmetic result in all the patients. Conclusions: This is an easy and safe technique resulting in a stable and satisfactory reconstruction after large antero-lateral full-thickness chest wall resections involving the diaphragm.

Key Words: Chest wall reconstruction • Diaphragm • Inverted Y Marlex methylmethacrylate flap

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Rocco The case for a 'sandwich' course in plastic surgery Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., January 1, 2005; 27(1): 175 - 175. [Full Text] [PDF]