Comparing Chest Wall Reconstruction Using Twisted Steel Wires or Bone Cement to Restore Stability and Breathing Function

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating two methods of chest wall reconstruction in patients who have undergone chest wall resection due to tumors, infections, or trauma. The study compares the use of twisted stainless steel wires versus polymethyl methacrylate PMMA bone cement to assess postoperative outcomes, complications, and cost-effectiveness. This research is conducted in a high-volume thoracic surgery center in Lahore, aiming to find an optimal reconstructive strategy suitable for resource-limited settings. Two groups are compared one receiving chest wall reconstruction with twisted stainless steel wires that provide flexible, dynamic support, and another with PMMA bone cement forming a rigid prosthesis fixed to adjacent ribs. The wire technique allows chest wall movement and is a low-cost alternative, while the bone cement method is more rigid and costly. The study period spans from January 2025 to December 2026, observing patients after surgery. Participants undergo assessments for postoperative pain at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days, as well as evaluations of chest wall movement at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Researchers also monitor respiratory function, chest wall stability, complications such as infection or wound issues, hospital stay length, readmission rates, and overall reconstruction costs. This comprehensive follow-up helps compare clinical and functional outcomes between the two reconstruction methods over time.

Chest Wall Reconstruction Cohort