Introduction Print Section Listen This section on chest wall disorders encompasses benign disorders of the skeletal and muscular chest wall, including congenital deformities of the chest wall, a group of…

Introduction Print Section Listen Infections of the chest wall, although uncommon, are important problems for thoracic surgeons. The severity of these infections can range from relatively minor and inconvenient problems…

Introduction Print Section Listen Since the first pectus repair was reported by Meyer in 1911, several different techniques have been described.1,2 The Ravitch procedure, first described in 1949,3 became the…

Introduction Print Section Listen Prior to the 1950s, the approach to treating skeletal trauma or deformity of the chest was largely nonoperative. Advances in anesthesia, cardiothoracic surgery, bioprosthetic materials, and…

Introduction Print Section Listen Sternal resection is primarily required for primary or secondary malignancy, infection, or radiation osteonecrosis (radiation osteitis).1,2 The resulting chest wall defect involving loss of skeleton and…

Introduction Print Section Listen Iatrogenic disruption of the thoracic duct is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of thoracic surgery, particularly esophagectomy.1 The thoracic duct conveys chyle and lymph from…

Introduction Print Section Listen Fibrothorax is a condition characterized by accumulation of fibrous tissue in the pleural cavity in reaction to undrained pleural fluid. A thick “peel” is formed on…

Introduction Print Section Listen Chest wall tumors are uncommon malignancies, whether primary or secondary in nature. Nevertheless, nearly every thoracic surgeon eventually will be asked to evaluate one of these…

Introduction Print Section Listen Chylothorax results from the leakage of chyle from the thoracic duct or one of its lymphatic branches into the pleural space. Common causes include neoplasm and…

Introduction Print Section Listen Pneumothorax is defined as air in the pleural space and is commonly seen after thoracic surgery. Pneumomediastinum is defined as air in the mediastinum and is…