Chest Wall

Operations on the chest wall are performed for a wide variety of indications. Many procedures, such as rib resections, are done simply to provide adequate exposure for more complex intrathoracic procedures. Chest wall resections are sometimes required for oncologic purposes, such as for lung cancers invading the superior sulcus or vertebral bodies and primary tumors of the bony and cartilaginous chest wall. Resections are also sometimes performed for benign problems such as osteomyelitis and thoracic outlet compression syndromes. Occasionally rib resections are performed for thoracoplasty as part of the solution to intrathoracic space problems. Finally, chest wall procedures are often required for congenital deformities of the chest wall, including a variety of pectus-type conditions. The relevant anatomy of the bony chest wall is outlined in Chapter 1, Figures 1-1D through 1-1F.