Polylactide bioabsorbable struts for chest wall reconstruction in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Chest wall reconstruction after pediatric tumor resection is challenging. Children have unique characteristics related to growth and prosthetic material for reconstruction must be chosen carefully. Poly-L-Lactide (PLA), a bioabsorbable prosthetic material, has been used in the plate form for reconstruction after tumor resection in children. Recently developed PLA struts have been successfully used to reconstruct pediatric chest wall deformities. This is the first description of the use of PLA rib struts to reconstruct chest wall defects after a pediatric chest wall tumor resection.