Abstract
PURPOSE: The early and long-term outcomes of bony chest wall reconstruction with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) soft tissue patch remain a concern. No clinical study has reported the shrinkage of Gore-Tex following reconstruction to date. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent bony chest wall reconstruction from 1994 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative chest computed tomography images of 17 patients were examined, and shrinkage of reconstruction materials was measured and compared. RESULTS: Gore-Tex was used for reconstruction in 18 patients, autologous materials were used in 14, Marlex mesh was used in four, and Medifit felt was used in one. No surgery-related deaths were observed. Twenty patients experienced early postoperative complications. Four patients experienced local infection. One patient with Marlex-mesh experienced empyema 33 days postoperatively. Chest drainage time in the Gore-Tex patients was significantly lower than in patients with other types of prosthetic reconstruction. No dislocation or dehiscence was found. Shrinkage of Gore-Tex was absent in 4 patients and acceptable in seven patients. No granulation formation was evident around the Gore-Tex, No significant difference in shrinkage was seen between the different materials used. CONCLUSION: Chest wall reconstruction with Gore-Tex was feasible with favorable early and long-term results.