Abstract: Objective To explore the surgical reconstruction of chronic radiation-induced ulcer in chest wall by stages. Methods From April 2010 to June 2013, 10 patients with huge chronic chest wall defect underwent chest wall reconstruction by stages. In stage Ⅰ, patients received debridement and greater omentum tamping; In stage Ⅱ, patients received surgical reconstruction by regional rotation flap, including pedicle latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The clinical efficacy and postoperative complications were observed. Results All the patients were followed up for 26-37 months （mean 25 months）. There were no operating death and local failure. One patient were suffered from subcutaneous infection which healed by debridement and drainage. No infection were observed in other patients. No paradoxical respiration occurred in all patients. Conclusion Stage therapeutics is effective in treating chronic radiation-induced ulcer and defect. Great omentum flap is useful for the repair of soft tissue defect, which is priority for defects caused by infection.

Key words: Chest wall defect, Chronic radiation-induced ulcer, Stage therapeutics, Chest wall reconstruction