Reconstruction of Small Chest Wall Defects Caused by Tubercular Abscesses Using Two Different Flaps

Abstract

Tubercular infection of the chest wall is rare and typically progresses to abscess formation. Treatment of these abscesses combines medical therapy with surgical debridement, which can cause defects of various sizes. This case report describes reconstruction of relatively small chest wall defects caused by tubercular abscesses with the use of two different flaps: a lateral intercostal artery perforator flap and a split pectoralis major muscle flap. The use of these flap techniques may provide a novel approach to cover small chest wall defects caused by tubercular abscesses. (C) 2018 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons