Abstract: Objective To explore the methods of repair and reconstruction of chest wall defect after resection of chest wall tumors. Methods From May 2011 to May 2018, 31 patients with chest wall tumors were treated in our department, including 6 cases of primary benign tumors of chest wall, 14 cases of primary malignant tumors of chest wall and 11 cases of metastatic malignant tumors of chest wall. There were 16 cases of simple bone defect of chest wall, 4 cases of simple soft tissue defect of chest wall and 11 cases of full-thickness defect of chest wall. Patch (4 cases), Prolene mesh (3 cases) and mesh titanium alloy plate (17 cases) were used to reconstruct the sternal bone defect. The defect of soft tissue of chest wall were reconstructed by direct suture (11 cases) and different kinds of skin flap (20 cases). Results All the 31 patients completed the operation successfully. The postoperative respiratory functions were normal. No paradoxical respiration occurred in this group. There were 2 cases of marginal necrosis of pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 1 case of distal necrosis of pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps and 1 case of marginal necrosis of perforator flaps of free inferior epigastric artery. The wounds healed after dressing therapy. Conclusion Surgery is the main treatment for chest wall tumors. To ensure the extent of resection and to select appropriate materials and tissue flaps for the reconstruction of chest wall according to the size, location and complexity of the defect area are the keys to the success of the operation.

Key words: Chest wall tumor, Chest wall defect, Chest wall reconstruction, Synthetic material, Free flap transplantation