Clinical observation of rib resection using a patient-specific 3D implant in the surgical treatment of chondrosarcoma

To date, surgical treatment remains the main therapeutic option for patients with chest wall tumors. Given the importance of preserving the structural integrity of the thoracic cage during extensive resections, the choice of reconstruction method for post-resection chest wall defects remains one of the key challenges in thoracic surgery.This clinical case report presents the treatment outcomes of a 64‑year-old female patient diagnosed with primary multiple metachronous malignancies who underwent rib resection followed by alloplastic reconstruction using a patient-specific 3D implant made of a nickel–titanium alloy. The implant was designed based on an individualized model and featured a double-locking mechanism using clamp-type fixation. At the 12‑month follow-up, no evidence of tumor recurrence was detected; the implant remained stable, the physiological volume of the thoracic cavity was preserved, and no signs of paradoxical respiration were observed. The proposed patient-specific modular 3D implant is convenient for intraoperative placement, allowing minimization of the risk of bleeding and infectious complications, as well as reduction of operative time. The technique of sternal and rib reconstruction using a patient-specific modular 3D implant is safe and effective and can be widely implemented in clinical practice.