CHEST WALL TUMORS

Surgery used to treat chest wall sarcomas requires preoperative evaluation in order to document their margins, and to reveal any nodules of recurrence. Because of its considerable sensitivity and specificity ultrasound was associated with routine imaging techniques. The results obtained are useful in defining superficial and lateral margins, but particularly in determining micronodules of recurrence wich would otherwise go unrecognized. A particular surgical method was used for reconstruction, involving a polypropylene mesh fixed to one or two mouldable plates. This method exploits the elasticity of polypropilene, wich is indispensable for the correct respiratory dynamics of the rib cage, thus avoiding paradoxical or harmful movement. Oncological anfd functional results were satisfatory.