Chest Wall Reconstruction with Precontoured Locking Plate Proof of Concept

Abstract

Complications after chest wall resection are common and are reported to occur in approximately 40% of patients. The most frequent complications are respiratory or wound complications. Restoring rib continuity after a resection is likely to prevent respiratory complications. However many patients remain painful after a reconstruction. This article describes a new technique using a titanium alloy precontoured locking plate and locking screws to reconstruct the chest wall after resection of the 7th rib on the left.