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PubMed2005

Results of Nuss procedures for the correction of pectus excavatum.

INTRODUCTION: The principle of the Nuss procedure is remodulation of the chest using a steel bar inserted by means of two small skin incisions along the axillary lines. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The assessment of the outcome after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 1998 and March 2003 66 children were operated on by Nuss technique to correct pectus excavatum in our department. Age ranged from 1 to 19 years (mean 11.8 years). The evaluation prior to surgery included chest X-ray and CT, pulmonology consultation with pulmonary function tests and cardiology consultation. We used a modified technique in which we inserted the supporting bar directly from the right side, with no thoracoscope, no sharp tools and no guiding tape. Intrapleural or epidural bupivacaine was used for postoperative pain control. RESULTS: Duration of the operation was between 20 and 60 min. Complications included wound infections in six children, haemothorax in three and pneumonia in one. In 56 children the early cosmetic results were very good. In 5 children the excavation of the lower part of the sternum has persisted, in 5 children the excavation of the sternum was corrected but asymmetric thickening in the parasternal region persisted. In all cases the results were satisfactory for both the children and their parents. In 24 children the supporting bar was removed two years after the first operation. Postoperative courses were uneventful and the cosmetic results were good. In one child we observed a recurrence of the deformity six months after bar removal. CONCLUSIONS: The early results of the new operation for pectus excavatum are good in most children. The minimal invasiveness of this method suggests that this procedure is indicated in cases where the defects are only cosmetic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Physiotherapy as an adjuvant to the surgical treatment of anterior chest wall deformities: a necessity? A prospective descriptive study in 21 patients.

PURPOSE: The authors postulated that physiotherapy as an adjuvant to the surgical treatment of anterior chest wall deformities is only indicated if specific abnormalities can be found that could be corrected by physiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether such abnormalities can be found and to evaluate their course during a postoperative period of 18 months. METHODS: Twenty-one patients, 16 with pectus excavatum and 5 with pectus carinatum, were evaluated 6 weeks before and 6 weeks, 6 months, and 18 months after surgical correction. Postural impairments, spinal mobility and curvature, muscle strength, and muscle length were evaluated. RESULTS: Preoperatively, poor posture was seen in 10 patients, nonstructural scoliosis in 11, and abdominal muscle weakness in 4 patients. None of the patients had restriction of spinal mobility or shortened pectoral muscles. Six weeks after surgery, poor posture was seen in 9, nonstructural scoliosis in 11, and abdominal muscle weakness in 10 patients. The authors found a higher percentage of recovery for abdominal muscle weakness than for poor posture (90% versus 33%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The authors found preoperative postural impairments in 52% of their patients, in patients with pectus carinatum as well as in patients with pectus excavatum. In patients without postural impairments, physiotherapy is not necessary, with the exception of postoperative pulmonary care.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1999

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum: the Münster experience.

OBJECTIVES: Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital hereditary chest-wall deformity. This study analyses a single-center experience of pectus excavatum-thoracic wall reconstruction using a uniform technique of internal stabilization employing stainless steel struts. METHODS: From June 1984 to December 1997, we performed correction operations on 777 patients with pectus excavatum. The condition occurred more frequently in boys (621 patients) than girls (156 patients). Surgical repair was performed using a standard method of double bilateral chondrotomy parasternally and at points of transition to normal ribs. This was followed by detorsion of the sternum, retrosternal mobilization and correction of the inverted ribs. The anteriorly displaced sternum was stabilized by one trans-sternal and two bilateral parasternal metal struts. RESULTS: The corrections were completed with successful repair in 765 patients (98.5%) with a low complication rate of 6.7%. The follow-up period ranged from 4 weeks to 12 years, mean 6.4 years. Major recurrences were observed in 12 patients (1.5%) and mild recurrence were observed in 35 patients (4.5%). CONCLUSION: Significant reduction in postoperative cardiorespiratory disorders, low lethality, improvement of subjective complaints, satisfactory long-term results and improvement in psychological problems indicate the need to offer this method of surgical correction to low-risk children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Growth disturbance of the sternum and pectus deformities: imaging studies and clinical correlation.

BACKGROUND: Radiologic reports of "normal" chest are not uncommon when there clearly are irregularities of sternal ossification and maturation. Analysis of imaging studies of sternal deformities for growth disturbances is not common in the literature and is addressed in this manuscript. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of sternal growth on development of pectus deformities and correlate imaging studies with clinical aspects of different types of these deformities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred forty-one children and adolescents with pectus deformities were evaluated. Sternal growth was estimated through the development of radiographic indices that were available for 57 patients with pectus deformities and for 71 controls. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sternum was performed in two patients to correlate with radiographic information. RESULTS: Radiographic indices of the sternum suggested growth disturbances in three basic types of pectus carinatum deformities: superior, inferior and lateral, and in the localized type of pectus excavatum. CONCLUSION: Sternal growth seems to have an important influence on the development of carinatum superior; partial influence on carinatum inferior, carinatum lateral, and excavatum localized; and no influence on excavatum wide pectus deformities. The endochondral growth of the sternum and costal arches is an important concept that aids in the interpretation of imaging studies and the orthopedic approach to management of these deformities in children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Radiographic appearance of the thorax in systolic click-late systolic murmur syndrome.

The posteroanterior and lateral chest X-ray films of 64 consecutive patients with an isolated systolic click (55 patients) or a systolic click with a late systolic murmur (9 patients) showed a striking frequency of thoracic skeletal abnormalities. There were 50 female and 14 male subjects. The average age of the female subjects was 36.7 years (range 13 to 67), that of the male subjects 39.7 years (range 17 to 56). Seventy-two percent of the female and 78 percent of the male subjects had an anteroposterior/transverse thoracic ratio less than the mean ratio in a small population. Bony abnormalities such as pectus excavatum, straight thoracic spine and scoliosis occurred alone or in a combination in 31 of the 50 female patients (62 percent) and in 8 of the 14 male patients (57 percent). Overall, 39 of the 64 patients (61 percent) had at least one of the skeletal abnormalities. Scoliosis occurred in 25 subjects (39 percent) and was mild in 19. A "straight back" was found in 15 (23 percent) and pectus excavatum in 7 patients (11 percent). The explanation for these findings is not apparent. Thoracic cage abnormalities should be included as one of the nonauscultatory features of the systolic click-late systolic murmur syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Long-term changes in bone and cartilage after Ravitch's thoracoplasty: findings from multislice computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term changes in the bones, cartilage, and chest wall contour after a Ravitch's thoracoplasty (RTP) using multislice computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction (3D-MSCT). METHODS: Between 1985 and 2000, 114 patients with pectus excavatum (PE) underwent RTP in our hospital; 3D-MSCT was performed in 36 patients 4 to 18 years after the initial operation. Twenty-four patients with PE with no surgical intervention were enrolled as a control group. RESULTS: Partial or complete calcification of the regenerated cartilage was found in 23 (64%) of the patients. Threadlike regenerated cartilage or the complete absence of some segment was seen in 14 cases (39%). Clubbing of the bony end was found in 23 cases (64%). Shortening of the gap between the rib end and the sternum (n = 17, 47%) and "constrict-in" of the ribs (n = 13, 36%) were common after RTP. In the control group, no significant bone or cartilage change occurred compared to the RTP group. CONCLUSIONS: Modern 3D-MSCT technology can clearly depict the cartilage and bone in patients with PE. More than 60% of the patients with PE showed significant long-term changes in the bone and cartilage after RTP. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of these abnormal findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Pectus excavatum; a clinical study with long term postoperavtive follow-up.

There are divergent views about the harm that pectus excavatum and related chest deformities does to the respiratory and heart function. The indications for surgery and the optimal age for surgical intervention are debatable. In this study 37 operated and 38 nonoperated cases of about the same severity have been followed for more than ten years and examined after the age of 18 years. The examination included socio-economic, cosmetic and cardio-pulmonary function aspects. It could be shown that from the psychological aspect there were no significant differences between the operated and the non-operated cases. The tendency to contract bronchopneumonia is not influenced by operation. The physical working capacity was the same in the two groups. The operated cases have slightly lower pulmonary function values that the non-operated in spite of the fact that the non-operated group at the time of follow-up included the more seveee cases. Age at operation did not seem to be of any importance for the long-term results. The lower pulmonary function capacity in the operated cases is thought to be attributed to a restriction secondary to the operation. There are also indications that pectus excavatum tends to become less pronounced with increasing age. The study supports a restrictive attitude towards surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Surgical treatment of pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum].

The authors present their experience with surgery of deformities of the chest wall in childhood. In the course of 1986 to 1992 they operated 93 children with the diagnosis of pectus excavatum. This number comprised 66 boys and 27 girls. The mean age of the operated children was 10.5 years. During the same period 17 patients (12 boys and 5 girls) were operated on account of pectus carinatum. The mean age of the latter group of patients was 13.5 years. 23% of the patients with a pectus excavatum had before operation mild scoliosis, two patients suffered from severe scoliosis. 76 patients after operation of pectus excavatum were followed up for more than one year after operation. In 44 patients the result was excellent (58%), in 31 patients the result was good. One patient developed a relapse. Fifteen patients after operation for pectus carinatum were followed up for more than one year. In 12 patients (80%) the result of the operation is excellent, in three patients (20%) the result is good. From the group as a whole seven patients had dehiscence of the wound after surgery, four patients developed a seroma in the surgical wound, three patients developed pneumothorax after operation and in one instance an abscess developed in the surgical wound. In the course of 1987 the authors changed the surgical technique in pectus excavatum from Jensen's to Holcomb jun. operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repair of pectus deformities: experience and outcome in 317 cases.

BACKGROUND: The most common congenital chest wall deformities are pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. Various techniques have been described for correction of pectus deformities. We describe our experience with surgical repair of pectus deformity (PD) in adults, including our new technique, which uses a resorbable plaque for fixation of the sternum. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 317 patients who underwent surgical correction of PD between October 1997 and December 2005. RESULTS: All of the patients were male and the median age was 21.3 years (range, 16-32 years). Of 317 patients, the type of deformity was a pectus excavatum in 230 patients and a pectus carinatum in 87 of the patients. Four different operative techniques were used. There were no intraoperative deaths or major perioperative morbidity. The complications rate was 17%. Overall mean hospital stay was 14.25 days. In 208 patients who underwent a mid-term outpatient follow up (mean, 8 months), there was no recurrence. Patient satisfaction was excellent in 234 patients, good in 79 patients and fair in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with pectus deformity had been operated on during childhood; therefore there is limited published information about the correction of pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum deformities in adults. The most important point in pectus correction is to achieve proper and long-term stability of the sternum following osteotomy. Various techniques can be used for this purpose.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Coronary artery bypass via resternotomy after pectus excavatum repair.

Pectus excavatum is a chest wall deformity that commonly warrants pediatric surgical correction for cosmesis or respiratory impairment via sternotomy. The repair typically consists of sternal wedge osteotomy and subsequent placement of a Steinman pin across the sternum with fixation to the ribs bilaterally. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) after surgical repair of the sternum with a metal implant poses an intriguing surgical challenge. Literature review reveals only one such previously described case. We present a case of coronary revascularization in an adult who previously underwent pectus excavatum repair with ligation of the internal mammary arteries. Our coronary revascularization was accessed through a resternotomy after surgical removal of the metal implant previously placed during the pectus excavatum repair. Autologous greater saphenous vein was used as a conduit for bypass. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged on postoperative day 4. The pectus repair remained intact even after the median sternotomy was performed. This was confirmed at the 1-year follow-up for the patient. Resternotomy after pectus excavatum repair with a prosthetic implant poses a challenge to cardiothoracic surgeons. Many such repairs have been described in the pediatric population. As our society ages and coronary artery disease becomes more prevalent, this unique situation may be more commonly encountered. We present an approach to coronary artery bypass grafting via median resternotomy after pectus excavatum repair.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The potential use of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in women with pectus excavatum desiring breast-conserving therapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine if intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) offers a better treatment plan compared to conventional radiotherapy for patients with pectus excavatum desiring breast-conserving therapy and to assess the feasibility of simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) boost. A patient with pectus excavatum desired breast-conserving therapy for her early stage breast cancer. She underwent lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection followed by chemotherapy. She was then referred for radiotherapy. A breast board (Med-Tec) with aquaplast body cast was used to limit the movement of the patient, chest wall, and breasts before planning a computed tomography (CT) scan. IMRT including dose-volume histogram (DVH) was compared to that of the conventional plan using parallel opposed tangential beams with a 15-degree wedge pair. Forty-five gray was prescribed to the whole breast to each plan, while 50 Gy was prescribed to the tumor bed using IMRT with SMART boost in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. The coverage of the whole breast was adequate for both plans. IMRT allowed a more homogeneous dose distribution within the breast at the desired dose range. With IMRT there is less volume of ipsilateral lung receiving the radiation dose that is above the tolerance threshold of 15 Gy when compared to that of the conventional plan. However, there is more volume of surrounding normal tissues (the heart, spinal cord, and contralateral breast and lung) receiving low-dose irradiation when IMRT was employed. SMART boost was feasible, allowing a mean dose of 57 Gy to be delivered to the tumor bed simultaneously along with the rest of the breast in 5 weeks. IMRT is feasible in treating early breast cancer patients with pectus excavatum by decreasing the ipsilateral lung volume receiving high-dose radiation when compared to the conventional method. SMART boost shortens the overall treatment time that may have potential radiobiological benefit.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Miniature access pectus excavatum repair: Lessons we have learned.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest well deformity seen in children. In 1997, the Miniature Access Pectus Excavatum repair (MAPER) was presented by Nuss et al, adding a new option for PE repair. This operation entails placing a custom bent metal bar across the chest to mechanically raise the sternum and remodel the cartilage. The authors have added modifications to Nuss' original description of this operation in an attempt to optimize technique, minimize complications, and improve outcomes. METHODS: The authors have performed 52 MAPERs with an average operating time of 106 minutes, average length of stay of 3.9 days, and return to normal activities of 2 to 6 weeks. Modifications to Nuss' original description include preoperative evaluation consisting of an echocardiogram and pulmonary function tests (PFTs; with and without exercise and with and without bronchodilators), abandoning the use of routine preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, the use of unilateral positive pressure insufflation of the hemithorax to provide visualization, and anesthesia using an epidural pain catheter (intraoperative and postoperative for 3 days). Intraoperatively, we use a 70 degrees thoracoscope for optimal visualization, and we have modified their location for optimal visualization. Additionally, the bars are secured with surgical wire, not absorbable suture, to avoid bar slippage. RESULTS: Postoperatively, we leave our bars in for 3 years and have had no recurrences. Furthermore, these patients require significant support during the time their bars are in place and occasionally require reoperation to fix symptomatic problems with their bar. CONCLUSIONS: Since the first description of the MAPER was presented more than 5 years ago, the operative treatment of PE has changed dramatically. The authors feel that the MAPER is superior to the open technique, and with the modifications they have implemented, complications have been minimized, and long-term results have been improved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Minimally invasive endoscopic repair of pectus excavatum.

OBJECTIVE: We report our initial 3 years 4 months' single institution experience in 31 consecutive patients with pectus excavatum treated with minimally invasive endoscopic pectus excavatum repair utilizing a modification of the 'Nuss' technique. METHODS: Under general anesthesia, a curved steel bar is individually shaped for each patient to match the ideal chest wall shape and is placed through an endoscopically created retrosternal tunnel between two bilateral midaxillary line 2-cm incisions. The tunnels initially go along the outside of the rib cage, under the pectoral muscles. At the level of the sternum, these tunnels go retrosternal and communicate with each other. The steel bar is passed with the convexity facing posteriorly, within a protective flat silastic drain. Under endoscopic guidance, the curved steel bar is passed through one tunnel, under the sternum, and out the other tunnel. Once positioned, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity. An epidural catheter provides perioperative pain relief. RESULTS: Minimally invasive endoscopic pectus excavatum repair has been performed on 31 patients (age: range 4.4-31.0 years, median 15.0 years, mean 14.5 years). Median hospital length of stay is 4 days (range 3-10 days, mean 4.6 days). Pneumothorax occurred in five patients requiring tube thoracostomy in three. One patient developed delayed bilateral pleural effusions requiring drainage. Two patients developed evidence of sterile seroma formation at the skin incision several months after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. These seromas resolved with non-interventional conservative medical treatment. No other complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive endoscopic pectus repair is safe and effective and currently our procedure of choice for primary pectus excavatum in all ages. Endoscopic visualization facilitates the safe creation of the retrosternal tunnel. Short-term results have been excellent. Further follow-up will be necessary to determine long-term results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Atopic skeletal retardation as a possible cause for short stature and thoracic deformity in children with asthma].

Deformities of the chest occur not only in asthmatics suffering from severe attacks, but also in those having a mild form of the disease. It also occurs in children with atopic dermatitis and in members of atopic families without concomitant bronchial asthma. This observation and the fact that asthmatic children tend towards hyposomia, has prompted auxological investigations of asthmatic children. It was of interest to see whether asthma itself or the atopic disposition is responsible for disturbances of growth and development. The investigation was carried out as a cross-sectional study involving 173 asthmatic boys aged 1 1/2-18 years. The programme included among other things age, bone age, bone maturity difference (BMD: difference age minus bone age) height, type and severity of asthma (measured by means of scope of therapy). The rate of hyposomia (height < mean -2 SD) amounted in the whole group to 4.7 per cent. It rose in the extrinsic asthmatics to 6.6 per cent. This corresponds with a rise of two or three times the normal rate. 11.6 per cent of the probands showed a skeletal retardation of more than 2 years. The degree of BMD showed a significant dependence on age and type of asthma but not on the duration of the disease, severity or glucocorticoid therapy. Skeletal retardation cannot, therefore, be regarded as a direct consequence of bronchial asthma, whereas the significantly different averages of BMD in extrinsic and intrinsic asthmatics point to an atopic genesis, hence it might be possible to speak of an atopic retardation of the skeleton.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Exercise cardiorespiratory function before and one year after operation for pectus excavatum.

In 35 patients with pectus excavatum (aged 17.9 +/- 5.6 years) pulmonary function and maximal exercise test results were compared before and at 1 year after operation. The lower posteroanterior chest diameter on the lateral x-ray film was significantly smaller than normal (p < 0.0001) and increased significantly after operation (p < 0.0001). Preoperatively, total lung capacity (86.0% +/- 14.4%; p = 0.0001) and inspiratory vital capacity (79.7% +/- 16.2; p = 0.0001) were significantly smaller than predicted and further decreased after operation (-9.2% +/- 9.2%; p = 0.0001 and -6.6% +/- 10.7%; p = 0.0012, respectively). Arterial blood gas values displayed normal patterns with increasing exercise both before and after operation. Only the arterial pH decreased more after operation than before (p = 0.0026). After operation there was a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake (oxygen uptake; p = 0.0002 and oxygen uptake per kilogram; p = 0.0025) and oxygen pulse (oxygen uptake/heart rate approximates an indirect parameter for stroke volume; p = 0.0333) during exercise, whereas the maximal work performed was unchanged. Efficiency of breathing (ratio of tidal volume/inspiratory vital capacity) at maximal exercise improved significantly after operation (p = 0.0005). Ventilatory limitation of exercise (defined by an increase in carbon dioxide tension during exercise) was found in 43.9% of the patients before operation. A tendency of improvement was noted (not significant) after operation (difference in carbon dioxide tension 0.6 +/- 0.4 kPa before versus 0.3 +/- 0.5 kPa after operation). However, the group with normal preoperative carbon dioxide elimination had a ventilatory limitation of exercise after operation (difference in carbon dioxide tension -0.4 +/- 0.3 kPa before versus -0.1 +/- 0.3 kPa after operation; p = 0.0128) with a significant increase in oxygen consumption (p = 0.0007). In conclusion the subjective physical improvement after operation is not explained by changes in cardiorespiratory function at exercise. The data suggest a higher work of breathing after operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cardiopulmonary function in pectus excavatum.

The results of recent studies clearly support a cardiopulmonary impairment resulting from pectus excavatum, but resolving the apparent discrepancies between studies is necessary. Several factors must be taken into consideration. The severity of the deformity of the chest wall must be defined, whether by the sternovertebral distance or by various means proposed by others. Without some index of the degree of sternal depression, it is impossible to compare patients or results among studies. No study has enrolled a sufficient number of patients to provide an accurate correlation between the severity of the deformity and the extent of the cardiopulmonary deficit, nor has any defined how severe the deformity must be to result in cardiopulmonary dysfunction. The second factor that is important in evaluating results is what controls were used. Studies in which each patient functioned as his own control after surgical repair are preferable. In the pediatric age group where growth and increased pulmonary parameters would be expected, the follow-up studies should be performed at a defined time after surgical treatment. Studies completed years later cannot assess the effect of surgical repair upon cardiopulmonary function. Studies wherein persons matched for age and height to serve as controls are available from the same laboratory are also needed. The degree of co-operation and effort of patients will vary, particularly in the pediatric age group. Constancy of the experimental protocol and personnel is important. Least reliable are reports of experimental findings compared with standardized normal values. In early studies, measurements of vital capacity and total lung capacity produced variable results when compared with normal persons matched for age. The wide range of "normal values" makes statistical comparison difficult, if not impossible. A wide spectrum of cardiopulmonary function exists among individuals, depending upon prior physical training and body habitus. Sufficient physiologic reserve is generally present, such that extensive impairment must exist before patients become symptomatic at rest. Physiologic reserve during exercise is rapidly consumed and differences can be more readily determined. Exercise studies must go beyond the measurement of intracardiac pressures and pulmonary volumes at rest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Funnel Chest↗
PubMed1998

A 10-year review of a minimally invasive technique for the correction of pectus excavatum.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the results of a 10-year experience with a minimally invasive operation that requires neither cartilage incision nor resection for correction of pectus excavatum. METHODS: From 1987 to 1996, 148 patients were evaluated for chest wall deformity. Fifty of 127 patients suffering from pectus excavatum were selected for surgical correction. Eight older patients underwent the Ravitch procedure, and 42 patients under age 15 were treated by the minimally invasive technique. A convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum through small bilateral thoracic incisions. The steel bar is inserted with the convexity facing posteriorly, and when it is in position, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity. After 2 years, when permanent remolding has occurred, the bar is removed in an outpatient procedure. RESULTS: Of 42 patients who had the minimally invasive procedure, 30 have undergone bar removal. Initial excellent results were maintained in 22, good results in four, fair in two, and poor in two, with mean follow-up since surgery of 4.6 years (range, 1 to 9.2 years). Mean follow-up since bar removal is 2.8 years (range, 6 months to 7 years). Average blood loss was 15 mL. Average length of hospital stay was 4.3 days. Patients returned to full activity after 1 month. Complications were pneumothorax in four patients, requiring thoracostomy in one patient; superficial wound infection in one patient; and displacement of the steel bar requiring revision in two patients. The fair and poor results occurred early in the series because (1) the bar was too soft (three patients), (2) the sternum was too soft in one of the patients with Marfan's syndrome, and (3) in one patient with complex thoracic anomalies, the bar was removed too soon. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive technique, which requires neither cartilage incision nor resection, is effective. Since increasing the strength of the steel bar and inserting two bars where necessary, we have had excellent long-term results. The upper limits of age for this procedure require further evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

40-year experience in surgical treatment of congenital chest deformations--ethiopathogenesis, operative techniques and clinical results.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the results of surgical treatment of 58 patients with pectus excavatum and 11 with pectus carinatum and discuss the problems connected with ethiopathogenesis and operative techniques. MATERIAL: 69 chest deformations treated between 1961-2001. METHODS: The clinical results were analyzed with 1) Kopera-Król Rtg-index, 2) Gizycka's Rtg-index of chest flattening, 3) Haller and Nakahara CT-index, 4) Heart position after operation, 5) Frequency of upper respiratory infections, 6) Appearance of postoperative scar, 7) Patient's opinion. Histopathological investigations were used to assess ethiopathogenesis of chest deformations. RESULTS: 90% permanent correction achieved in group of patients operated in the age from 12 to 17. Otherwise we noted between the patients who were operated in the age from 6 to 10-37% recurrence of deformity. Generally we had 70% excellent and good results. The opinion of patients (including cosmetics effects, psychical state and exercise tolerance) was much better-86.6%. Particularly correction of pectus carinatum gives good cosmetics effects as well as improvement of exercise tolerance. DISCUSSION: Nuss modified correction employing a substernal stabilizing plate is an alternative for transsternal traction in the classical Ravitsch' procedure. Authors present advantages and disadvantages of both methods. The optimal age for surgical correction and inter and post operative procedure are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Ethipathogenesis of pectus excavatum and carinatum remains unsettled. Disturbances in endochondral ossification and growth of costal cartilage seem to be more probable cause of the deformities than diaphragm underdevelopment. Mild and severe forms of the two deformities result in circulatory-respiratory malfunctions, cosmetic defects and psychical problems. Due to possible circulatory-respiratory disorder, appropriate premedication as well as intra- and postoperative monitoring of RR, ECG, O2, CO2 are very important on the first day after the surgery. Ravistch-Garnier procedure for pectus excavatum and Chen procedure for pectus carinatum remain operations of choice. Transsternal traction can be replaced with internal stabilisation with a bar placed under the sternum what considerably reduces the time of hospitalisation but requires one more hospitalisation to remove the bar. Correction of pectus carinatum is permanent, correction of pectus excavatum turned out to be permanent in 90% cases providing that they were performed in patients aged 12-16. When patients were at the age 6-10, recurrence of the deformity occurred in 37% of cases. According to the clinical assessment, in both age groups, the proportion of very good or good scores equalled 70% and according to patient's evaluation--86.6%.

Adolescent↗