Application of the rectus abdominal muscle in reconstructive and recovery surgery of chest wall defects

Introduction. Autologous plastic tissues (muscles and greater omentum) are preferable in the reconstruction of chest wall defects in infectious and inflammatory diseases of the chest wall. Extended and deep defects can be eliminated by flaps of the rectus abdominis muscle.Aid. To study the effectiveness of various options for the use of flaps of the rectus abdominis muscle in plastic surgery of chest wall defects of infectious and inflammatory origin.Object and methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of treatment of 34 patients with osteomyelitis of the sternum and ribs of various etiologies was carried out for the period from January 1, 2012 to May 30, 2023. In 32 patients, the main diagnosis was poststernotomy mediastinitis, 2 patients had post-radiation osteomyelitis of the sternum and ribs after combined cancer treatment. mammary gland. The majority of patients (n = 29) underwent a two-stage approach to treatment using vacuum therapy at the stage of relief of acute inflammation. All patients underwent plasty with a flap of the rectus abdominis muscle. The options for surgical intervention and the outcome of treatment were studied.Results. The area of the defect to be repaired in patients ranged from 50 cm2 to 270 cm2 (mean 143.1 ± 15.3 cm2). There were no intraoperative complications in the patients. The postoperative period was complicated by various wound complications in 9 patients. Marginal necrosis of the skin part of the graft was revealed in 3 patients with full-thickness permanent graft plasty. In 3 patients, despite wound drainage, postoperative seromas were detected. Reoperations were performed in 2 patients: in one case, bleeding from the vein of the fullthickness flap was stopped, in the other case, partial necrosis of the full-thickness flap was detected, which required a second operation and revision of the flap. In 1 patient, the hematoma was emptied 3 days after the operation. The average duration of inpatient treatment of patients was 19.3 ± 2.8 days (range 17 to 38 days). There were no lethal outcomes in patients with muscle plasty with a permanent graft flap. In 1 patient, a postoperative hernia was formed in the region of the anterior abdominal wall. Recurrence of osteomyelitis of the ribs was diagnosed in 1 person 16 months after surgery.Conclusions. The rectus abdominis muscle as an isolated and full-thickness flap is the optimal plastic material for eliminating defects in both the lower part of the sternum and extensive defects in the anterior and lateral surfaces of the chest wall.