Primary chest wall tumors

Aim, material and methods
The paper describes forty three cases of primary chest wall tumors operated on in the Thoracic Department of Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Łódź in 1997-2004.
The diagnosis was made according to physical examination, imaging examination (Rtg, CT, NMR), needle biopsy, surgical biopsy and primary tumor excision.
Results
Thirty three cases were benign and 10 were malignant. Tumor excision and local tissue reconstruction were performed in 35 cases. In 8 cases we used synthetic material - Dallop mesh (5 cases) or Codubix (Tricomed) (3 cases). The shape of prosthesis was formed with the use of osseous cement. Synthetic material was then covered by pectoral muscle or latissimus dorsi muscle. Paradox respiration after the operation was not noted. Nobody needed artificial respiration. In one case we observed the rejection of Codubix prosthesis. The prosthesis was removed and the patient was then treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery. There were not any infectious or mortal complications observed.
Patients with malignant tumors were also treated oncologically.
Conclusions
1. The primary chest wall tumors are mostly located in the skeleton of the thorax.
2. The type of thoracic wall reconstruction depends on the tumor location and size. The skills in the area of plastic surgery are very useful.