Coronary artery disease

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  History of coronary artery bypass grafting: Possible absence of internal mammary artery.

Pulmonary disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], asthma): Increased risk for respiratory compromise in the absence of chest wall skeletal reconstruction.

Previous history of chest, back, or abdominal surgery/trauma: Potential compromise of specific flaps.

Other comorbidities.

Tobacco use.

Nutritional status.

Etiology of chest wall wound/deformity

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  Traumatic, oncologic, infectious, radiation, congenital.

  
  
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  If oncologic, benign versus malignant: History of (or plan for) radiation therapy.

Define defect or mass: Location, depth, fixed or mobile.

Perform lymph node examination.

Assess muscle involvement in the chest: Is the pectoralis major involved?

Assess abdomen for hernias, diastasis recti.

Evaluate back musculature and soft-tissue laxity.

Assess for chest wall, back, or abdominal scars.