Chest wall reconstruction using twisted stainless steel wires versus PMMA bone cement
Comparative Outcomes of Chest Wall Reconstruction Using Twisted Steel Wires Versus Bone Cement: A Cohort Study
This project will test whether twisted stainless steel wires or PMMA bone cement gives better outcomes for adults needing chest wall reconstruction after tumor- or infection-related resections.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Health Sciences Lahore Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07338006 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This was a prospective cohort conducted at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Services Hospital, Lahore from January 2025 to December 2026 comparing two reconstruction techniques for chest wall defects. Adult patients with partial or full-thickness resections requiring rigid or semi-rigid repair (involving two or more ribs or the sternum) received either twisted stainless steel wire (No. 05) reconstruction or PMMA bone cement reconstruction. The study tracked postoperative outcomes, complications, respiratory function, pain, and direct cost over a two-year follow-up period. Patients with small defects closed primarily, major concurrent intrathoracic resections, recurrent reconstructions, or inability to consent or follow-up were excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older undergoing partial or full-thickness chest wall resection with defects involving two or more ribs or the sternum who can consent and comply with follow-up are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with small defects suitable for primary closure, those needing only soft-tissue repair, patients undergoing major concurrent intrathoracic resections, recurrent reconstructions, or those unable to follow-up are unlikely to benefit from enrollment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the wire technique could offer a lower-cost, flexible reconstruction option that better preserves chest wall motion and may reduce complications in resource-limited settings.
How similar studies have performed: PMMA bone cement has long been used for rigid reconstruction and small series and technical reports suggest twisted stainless steel wire neorib techniques can work, but large comparative evidence is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing partial or full-thickness chest wall resection. * Defects requiring rigid or semi-rigid reconstruction involving two or more ribs or the sternum. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with small defects managed by primary closure or soft tissue-only reconstruction. * Patients with concurrent major intrathoracic resections (e.g., pneumonectomy) may confound postoperative respiratory assessment. * Recurrent disease requiring revision reconstruction. * Patients unwilling or unable to provide consent or comply with follow-up.
Where this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province
- Services Hospital, Lahore — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Muhammad Shoaib Nabi, FCPS
- Email: zeeshan.sarwar195@gmail.com
- Phone: +92 3214347410
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.