Defect of the sternal area.

Defects of the sternum are a result of severe postoperative complications in certain cardiosurgery patients. The use of pedicle muscle flaps for closure of these defects is currently already a standard and reliable method. The most commonly used muscles for covering the sternal area and filling the frontal mediastinum are the pectoralis major and rectus abdominis muscles. There are several ways to use these muscles for the individual concrete situations. Based on the experience they have gained over the past six years with 84 patients, the authors describe technical aspects of the individual variations as well as the relevant advantages and disadvantages.