A method for eliminating a chest wall defect after the sternoclavicular joint resection

Purulent arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint requires surgical treatment. The volume of the intervention depends on the degree of the joint's transformation and patient's general condition. The resulting defect of the chest wall tissues requires surgical closure at the reconstructive stage. In case of an extensive defect area with a skin deficiency, it is most advisable to use full-thickness flaps of the latissimus dorsi or pectoralis major muscles. The article presents a clinical case of a patient operated for purulent arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint. The surgical treatment was planned in two stages. During the first stage, the use of vacuum-assisted dressings demonstrated its effectiveness. The second, reconstructive stage, included plastic surgery for the chest wall defect using a full-thickness flap of the pectoralis major on the thoracic branch of the thoracoacromial artery. The progress of the patient's surgical and general treatment was described in detail.