The Division of Thoracic and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction provides comprehensive management of complex soft-tissue and structural defects of the chest and abdominal walls. These defects may result from tumor resection, trauma, infection, radiation injury, prior surgery, or wound complications.

Our reconstructive approach focuses on restoring durable soft-tissue coverage, protecting underlying organs and prosthetic material, reestablishing structural stability, and preserving respiratory and abdominal wall function.

Thoracic reconstruction may be required following chest wall tumor resection, traumatic injury, sternal or thoracic infection, or exposure of bone, hardware, or intrathoracic structures. Reconstruction may involve local tissue rearrangement, pedicled soft tissue flaps, or microsurgical free tissue transfer.

Abdominal wall reconstruction addresses defects caused by tumor resection, trauma, infection, fistula, prior surgery, or loss of soft tissue and fascia. Treatment may require restoration of fascial continuity, reinforcement with biologic or synthetic mesh, component separation, pedicled soft tissue flap reconstruction, or free tissue transfer.

Our surgeons collaborate with thoracic surgery, general surgery, surgical oncology, trauma surgery, orthopedic surgery, infectious disease, and other specialties to develop individualized reconstructive plans.

Our research focuses on improving outcomes in complex thoracic and abdominal wall reconstruction. Areas of interest include flap selection, mesh utilization, management of contaminated wounds, reconstruction after oncologic resection that optimizes both form and function, prevention of hernia and wound complications, donor-site morbidity, and long-term functional outcomes.

The Division also evaluates strategies to improve multidisciplinary surgical planning and determine the optimal timing and method of reconstruction for complex defects.

The Division provides educational opportunities for medical students, residents, fellows, and healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with complex chest and abdominal wall defects.

Educational initiatives emphasize comprehensive understanding of thoracic and abdominal wall anatomy, wound assessment, flap selection and anatomy, management of contaminated surgical fields, principles of fascial and skeletal stabilization, microsurgical reconstruction, multidisciplinary planning, and postoperative care. Educational experiences include didactic classroom learning and case discussions, simulation, hands-on anatomy lab experiences, clinical rotations with operative experience, and scholarly activity.