OBJECTIVETo explore and apply a reconstructive technique for thoracic and pericardial defects and cardiac exposure in a thoracoventropagus following the separation operation.

METHODSThe separation operation was performed by the abdominal, the cardiothoracic and the plastic reconstructive surgeons in three teams. Nonbiological material was used in infant A to reconstruct the defective his thorax and pericardium resulted from the separation surgery. During the operation, infant B was protected with emphasis, preserving larger amount of thoraco-abdominal tissue to facilitate one-stage repair by direct suturing. Multiple tongue-shaped large skin flaps were designed to repair the huge soft tissue defects. The wound was closed in one stage.

RESULTSBoth of the infants survived after the surgery. Infant A with severe defect of his anterior thorax and abdominal and consequent cardiac exposure was eventually cured in 3-year hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONThe repair and reconstruction of the defective tissues and organs in the thoraco-abdminal conjoined twins were highly difficult. The modern plastic surgical techniques used for the task were reliable, effective and successful.

Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pericardium ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Suture Techniques ; Thoracic Wall ; surgery ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery