Abstract

Aim: Minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair technique was developed as an alternative to standart “Ravitch” technique. With “Nuss” procedure, pectus excavatum can be repaired without cartilage resections and osteotomies. The results of “Nuss” procedure shows that, the cosmetic results are satisfactory in prepubertal age group.

Material and Method: The hospital records of 14 patients (5 girl and 9 boys) aging 5 years to 22 years (median 10 years) who underwent “Nuss” procedure during May 2002- November 2008 and had their bars removed were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Apart from the 15 and 18 years old patients who had two support bars placed into their thoracic cavity, one support bar was placed to the remaining 12 children. Peroperative and postoperative period of the patients were uneventful except two patients that have fluid collection on wound and one patient had a nickel allergy that was treated with skin flap. The support bars of the first 14 patients had been removed without any problem after the end of their postoperative two years. Chest walls of the 14 children have been maintaining their new shape after the bar removal.

Conclusion: Nuss repair has been appealing to the patients, parents and surgeons with less blood loss, small scar and shorter surgery time.