Surgical Outcome Studies in Thoracic Wall Reconstruction With Codubix® Ribs

An intact thoracic wall is essential for maintaining organ and respiratory function and upper extremity mobility, and therefore may require surgical intervention if portions of the thoracic wall have been destroyed or removed. Thoracic wall reconstruction is typically needed for cancers originating in or invading the chest wall or for large defects resulting from surgery that removes multiple ribs or the sternum. Less commonly, it is required due to malformations, infections, radiation injuries, or trauma to maintain respiratory function, protect internal organs, and avoid cosmetic defects. There are several synthetic, metallic, and biologic materials on the market for thoracic wall reconstruction, each with its advantages and disadvantages, and none has proven superior to the others, often being chosen based on the surgeon's experience and preference. Codubix® Ribs, a knitted prosthesis made of polypropylene and polyester yarn, has been used since 2018 for thoracic wall reconstruction due to its high strength, low weight, and non-reactive properties. Moreover, it is radiolucent, easily adjustable to the chest wall's curvature, and maintain enough stiffness to not require additional materials, even for large defects. Although well-established in neurosurgery, its use in thoracic surgery is relatively new and not yet extensively reviewed in literature. The primary objective is to evaluate the postoperative outcomes after thoracic wall reconstruction with Codubix® Ribs examining mobility, stability, aesthetic outcome and pain. The secondary objectives are to evaluate specific indications for chest wall resection found in the participants and in-hospital complications during the hospital stay. The results of this study, summarizing our experiences with the relatively unknown prosthesis Codubix Ribs, aim to provide valuable insights and contribute to the broader knowledge base of the medical community regarding effective thoracic wall reconstruction materials.