Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2016, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (12): 1793-1799.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.12.018

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mesh-like titanium alloy steel plate versus wire mesh in the repair of chest wall defects: a safety study

Liu Tao1, Zhang Yong2   

  1. 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second People’s Hospital of Weifang, Weifang 261041, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2015-12-29 Online:2016-03-18 Published:2016-03-18
  • About author:Liu Tao, Attending physician, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second People’s Hospital of Weifang, Weifang 261041, Shandong Province, China

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Titanium materials have high mechanical strength, stable physical properties, good biocompatibility, and excellent corrosion resistance, which can be safely used in humans.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety of mesh-like titanium alloy steel plate versus wire mesh in the repair of chest wall defects.
METHODS: Eighteen patients with chest wall defects, 11 males and 7 females, with an age range of 19-65 years, were enrolled. The 9 of 18 patients were subjected to repair with mesh-like titanium alloy steel plate, and the other 9 patients underwent wire mesh repair. At 1 week after repair, visual analog scale scores were measured in the two groups, and patient’s satisfaction on the thoracic appearance and incidence of complications were surveyed during the follow-up.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients were followed up for 1-7 years. During the follow-up, X-ray review displayed good thoracic stability and no fracture of titanium plate and wire mesh. Patients recovered well from respiratory dysfunction, with unapparent chest wall deformity and high satisfaction rate of the thoracic appearance. Moreover, compared with the wire mesh group, the satisfaction rate of the thoracic appearance was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but the incidence of complications was significantly lower in the titanium plate group (P < 0.05). At 1 week after repair, the visual analog scale scores had no difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that the mesh-like titanium plate has good biocompatibility and safety to effectively maintain the stability of the chest wall.