Paraffin plombage of the chest revisited.

Abstract

Complications related to previous thoracic plombage procedures are not uncommon. The management of these complication can be challenging. We present a patient who had a partial resection of the left upper lobe, a seven-rib thoracoplasty, and paraffin wax plombage 38 years previously, in whom a chest wall mass and a discharging sinus developed. She underwent excision and debridement of the paraffin wax mass followed by serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi pedicled muscle intrathoracic transposition. Follow-up at 2 years revealed excellent cosmetic and functional results.