Radical resection and reconstruction of a large sternal chondrosarcoma

Abstract

Introduction Primary malignant tumors of the sternum are rare, with chondrosarcoma being the most common primary malignant tumor of the chest. The gold standard in treatment is surgical treatment with wide resection margins, where the rigidity of the chest wall must be ensured, with protection of internal organs with satisfactory lung function.

Case outline We present a 67-year-old patient in whom previous computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations confirmed a tumor mass involving the sternum with the associated ribs, with involvement of the soft tissues above. First, sternum resection was performed with partial resection of the associated ribs and soft tissues. Reconstruction and stabilization of the chest wall were achieved with two layers of polypropylene mesh and methyl methacrylate bone cement with antibiotics. We reconstructed the primary soft tissue defect with a combination of a large local fasciocutaneous flap raised from the abdomen and a smaller sliding flap from the chest. The secondary defect was reconstructed by wide undermining of the skin in the area of the anterior abdominal wall and a small Thiersch-type free skin graft. In the postoperative period, the flaps were vital, but there was necrosis of the free skin graft. That defect was closed secondary thanks to bandaging. Respiratory function was preserved.

Conclusion Surgical treatment is the main treatment for sternal chondrosarcoma. With an adequate preoperative and intraoperative approach, it is necessary to enable good postoperative oncological outcomes with the achievement of chest rigidity and satisfactory respiratory status.

Keywords: sternal chondrosarcoma; surgical treatment; reconstruction