WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.14.28 Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Sternum: A Novel Approach for Improved Surgical Outcomes

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This study from Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, presents a novel approach to sternal reconstruction using three-dimensional (3D) printed titanium implants. The sternum is critical for chest stability and protecting vital organs, but reconstructing it after tumor resections poses complex challenges. Conventional methods using autologous tissues or synthetic materials often struggle to deliver optimal functional and aesthetic results.<br /><br />The authors report on a case series of three patients who underwent curative resection for sternal tumors—two with chondrosarcoma and one with solitary plasmacytoma—between May 2022 and April 2024. Preoperative planning utilized contrast-enhanced CT scans to define resection margins and generate virtual 3D models of the sternum. Customized titanium implants were then fabricated based on these models and surgically implanted, with coverage by the pectoralis major muscle.<br /><br />All surgeries averaged about four hours, and patients had a mean hospital stay of five days. One patient received postoperative radiotherapy without complications. Importantly, no implant-related complications were observed, and after a median follow-up of 15 months, all patients were alive and disease-free.<br /><br />The study concludes that 3D-printed sternum reconstruction offers a tailored, anatomically precise solution that enhances surgical accuracy and patient outcomes compared to traditional reconstruction methods. The authors call for further research to assess long-term durability and cost-effectiveness of this innovative technique. Overall, the findings suggest that 3D printing technology could significantly improve reconstructive surgery for complex sternal defects following tumor resection.

Asset Subtitle

Ashish Jakhetiya

Meta Tag

Speaker Ashish Jakhetiya

Topic Mesothelioma, Thymoma, and Other Thoracic Tumors

Keywords

3D printed titanium implants

sternal reconstruction

Geetanjali Medical College

chondrosarcoma

solitary plasmacytoma

contrast-enhanced CT

virtual 3D modeling

customized implants

pectoralis major muscle coverage

postoperative radiotherapy