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Sternal reconstruction is surgery to repair or replace damaged or missing portions of the breastbone and nearby chest wall. It may be needed after infection, injury, or removal of a tumor. The operation aims to cover exposed structures and restore chest wall support.
read more about sternal reconstruction ...A damaged or unstable sternum can leave the chest wall poorly supported. Reconstruction may follow removal of infected tissue or a section of bone containing a tumor. The surgeon plans the repair according to the size of the defect and the condition of the surrounding tissue.
The surgeon removes unhealthy tissue when necessary. Plates or other materials may provide structural support, while a muscle or tissue flap can cover the area. Some repairs use soft tissue coverage without a rigid implant.
The care team monitors the wound, breathing, and chest wall stability. Activity restrictions protect the repair while tissues heal. Recovery time depends on the original condition and the extent of reconstruction.
Possible complications include infection, bleeding, and wound healing problems. A flap or implant may develop complications or require another procedure. Pain and breathing difficulties can also occur during recovery.
No. The repair may use plates, other support materials, tissue flaps, or a combination, depending on the defect.
Yes. Surgeons may remove infected tissue and use healthy tissue to cover the area after addressing the infection.
No. Reconstruction can address a small section or a larger defect, depending on how much tissue is damaged or removed.
Healing varies with the size of the repair and the patient's health. The surgical team sets activity limits and monitors recovery at follow-up visits.
Complications after sternal reconstruction: a 16-y experience. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25541237/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Reconstruction of sternal defects after sternotomy with postoperative osteomyelitis, using a unilateral pectoralis major advancement muscle flap. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7239941/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Sternal Resections: An Attempt to Find the Ideal Reconstruction Method. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12028558/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Sternal Wound Reconstruction Following Deep Sternal Wound Infection: Past, Present and Future: A Literature Review. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11595137/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Sternal Wound Reconstruction Made Simple. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6908337/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.