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Merck

Chest wall reconstruction using biomaterials.

The Annals of thoracic surgery (2013-01-22)
Daniel L Miller, Seth D Force, Allan Pickens, Felix G Fernandez, Theresa Luu, Kamal A Mansour
ABSTRACT

Skeletal chest wall reconstruction can be a challenge, depending on the indication, location, and health of the patient; various materials are available. Recently, biomaterials that are remodelable (bovine pericardium patch; Veritas, Synovis Life Technologies Inc, St Paul, MN) or absorbable (polylactic acid [PLA] bar; BioBridge, Acute Innovations, Hillsboro, OR) have been introduced for reconstruction procedures. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent chest wall stabilization or reconstruction between July 1, 2009, and March 31, 2011. Biomaterials were used in 25 of 112 patients (22%) who underwent chest wall stabilization or reconstruction, and they form the basis of this review. Indication for reconstruction was malignant disease in 17 patients (68%). Overall, 10 (40%) resection sites were infected preoperatively. Reconstruction was performed with a combination of bovine pericardium and PLA bars in 11 patients (44%), bovine pericardium alone in 10, and PLA bars alone in 4; muscle flaps were interposed in 7 patients (28%). There were no operative deaths. Complications occurred in 6 patients (24%). Median follow-up was 12 months (range, 6 to 27 months). Three patients required removal of their biomaterials. Two bovine pericardial patches were removed prophylactically at the time of debridement of a partially necrotic muscle flap, and 1 PLA bar was removed because of an inflammatory reaction. None of the patients with an infected resection site required removal of their biomaterial. Chest wall reconstruction with biomaterials is a valuable option in the management of patients with chest wall abnormalities. Early results are promising. Biomaterials may be the preferred method of reconstruction for infected chest wall sites.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~3,000,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid)
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid sodium salt), average Mw ~2,100
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~1,250,000
Supelco
Poly(acrylic acid), analytical standard, average Mn 130,000 (Typical)
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~450,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid sodium salt), average Mw ~5,100 by GPC, powder
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid), average Mv ~4,000,000
Supelco
Poly(acrylic acid sodium salt), analytical standard, for GPC, 16,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid) solution, average Mw ~100,000, 35 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) solution, average Mw ~8,000, 45 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid) solution, average Mw ~250,000, 35 wt. % in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid) solution, average Mw ~2,000, 50 wt. % in H2O, electronic grade
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) solution, average Mw ~1,200, 45 wt. % in H2O