A New Option for Autologous Anterior Chest Wall Reconstruction: The Composite Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap

Sternal chondrosarcoma is rare and often requires total or subtotal sternectomy. The authors describe the case of a 70-year-old man with sternoclavicular joint chondrosarcoma who underwent subtotal sternectomy with partial resection of the two clavicles and anterior arches of first to third right ribs. Anterior chest wall reconstruction was performed with a composite thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap with sixth and seventh ribs vascularized on serratus muscle. The postoperative course was uneventful. Seven months after surgery, the patient was doing well. This surgical procedure is a new option for autologous reconstruction without prosthetic material after extensive sternectomy. (Ann Thorac Surg 2012;93:e67-9) (C) 2012 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons