[Repair of loss of substance of the thoracic wall and pericardium using a net of resorbable material].

After wide excision of the chest wall for primary tumour or bronchopulmonary carcinoma involving the ribs, the gap must be filled to prevent paradoxical respiration and its immediate functional consequences during the post-operative period. This can easily be achieved by using a polyglactin 910 piece of net cut to size out of a 25 X 25 cm plaque and sutured between the ribs under tension. The prosthesis ensures thoracic stability and acts as support for re-adherence of the lung to the chest wall. It resists coughing and is well tolerated. The indications of choice are respiratory failure and excision performed in varying degrees of septic condition which make non-absorbable material unsuitable. Another indication is wide excision of a tumour-invaded pericardium with herniation of the heart.