A 10-Year Review of a Minimally Invasive Technique
for the Correction of Pectus Excavatum

Presented at the national meeting of the American Pediatric Surgery Association, May 1997

Donald Nuss, MB, Ch.B., Robert E. Kelly, Jr., MD, Daniel P. Croitoru, MD,

Michael E. Katz, MD, and Barbara Swoveland, RNC, MSN

Departments of Surgery and Radiology, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
and Eastern Virginia Medical School
Norfolk, Virginia

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To assess the results of a 10-year experience with a minimally invasive operation which requires neither cartilage incision nor resection for correction of pectus excavatum.

Method: 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 two 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 patients have undergone bar removal. Initial excellent results were maintained in 22, good four, fair two, poor two, with mean follow-up since surgery of 4.6 years (1-9.2 years). Mean follow-up since bar removal is 2.8 years (6 months-7 years). Average blood loss was 15 ml. Average length of hospital stay was 4.3 days. Patients returned to full activity after one 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 a) the bar was too soft (three patients), b) the sternum was too soft in one of these patients with Marfan's syndrome, and c) in one patient with complex thoracic anomalies, the bar was removed too soon.

Conclusion: 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.

Additional reference:
Repair of Pectus Excavatum, by Donald Nuss, MB, ChB, Robert E. Kelly, Jr., MD, Daniel P. Croitoru, MD, and Barbara Swoveland, RNC, MSN, Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques (Part B, Winter 1998).

FIGURES

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	Figure I: Patient K.C., age 11, one month before surgery.
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	Figure II: Patient K.C., age 11, four months post pectus repair. Note incision in left lateral chest.
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	Figure III: Patient M.B. Chest CT showing severe asymmetric pectus excavatum (CT index 8.5) with severe cardiac compression and displacement, and pulmonary atelectasis.
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	Figure IV: Patient M.B., eight months post pectus repair, CT showing inferior pectus bar, heart in normal position, no cardiac compression, pulmonary atelectasis resolved.
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	Figure V: Patient K.C. at time of surgery showing pectus bar in position, molded to conform to desired anterior chest wall curvature with snug lateral fit.
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	Figure VI-A: Long curved Kelly clamp advanced across mediastinum deep to sternum.
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	Figure VI-B: Diagram showing convex steel bar being guided into the substernal tunnel using umbilical tape to keep it on track.
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	Figure VII-A: Patient K.C. showing pectus bar positioned deep to sternum with concavity facing posteriorly and umbilical tape still attached to one end.
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	Figure VII-B: Diagram showing steel bar in the process of being turned over.
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	Figure VIII: When two bars are used the two ends may be linked together with cross bars to form a rectangle.
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	Figure IX: Patient R.R. 1986. Severe pectus excavatum. Two years before pectus repair.
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	Figure X: Patient R.R. 1992. Four years post pectus excavatum repair, two years post bar removal.
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	Figure XI: Patient R.R. 1996. Eight years post pectus excavatum repair, six years post bar removal.
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	Figure XII: Patient H.P. 1986. Severe pectus excavatum. Six months before pectus repair.
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	Figure XIII: Patient H.P. 1996. Nine years post pectus excavatum repair, six years post bar removal.
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	Figure XIV: Patient W.J. 1989. Severe pectus excavatum. Ten months before pectus excavatum repair.
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	Figure XV: Patient W.J. 1991. Two years post pectus excavatum repair, one month post bar removal.
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	Figure XVI: Patient W.J. 1991. Two years post pectus excavatum repair, one month post bar removal.
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	Figure XVII: Patient W.J. 1996. Seven years post pectus excavatum repair, five years post bar removal. Note normal chest expansion and flexibility at full inspiration.
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	Figure XVIII: Patient W.J. 1996 Seven years post pectus excavatum repair, five years post bar removal.
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	Figure XIX: Patient S.H. 1986 Pectus excavatum. Ten months before pectus repair.
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	Figure XX: Patient S.H. 1987. Two months post pectus excavatum repair.
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	Figure XXI: Patient S.H. 1989. Two years post pectus excavatum repair. Bar still in place. Note normal chest expansion and flexibility on full inspiration.
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	Figure XXII: Patient S.H. 1991. Four years post pectus excavatum repair. Immediately prior to bar removal.
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	Figure XXIII: Patient S.H. 1995 Eight years post pectus excavatum repair, four years post bar removal. Completely normal chest contour and flexibility.
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