Because the design of the artificial thoracic cage is very subtle, it is combined with a skin expander. After implantation, it first acquires a certain space to relieve the pressure on the heart, then gradually expands with respiration progressively until it reaches the volume of a normal thoracic cage. During this process, the skin also expands accordingly, solving the problem of insufficient skin coverage.
However, this is not enough. In order to protect the vasculature, the artificial thoracic cage is implanted in a loose manner, without disrupting the blood supply. The skin is incised, the rib periosteum is cut open, then stripped underneath. Each rib is removed one by one, to then implant the artificial rib, and suture the periosteum to encase it. Subsequently, the artificial ribs are interconnected, connected to the sternum, and the residual posterior ribs.
This sophisticated prosthesis takes three to five years to design, at the least.
