Surgical correction of pectus excavatum and carinatum

The author presents three decades of experience in the management of anterior chest wall deformities. During this period more than 800 operations were performed on patients with pectus excavatum and carinatum. In this series, there was no death and serious complications were rare. The author believes that the principles on which surgical treatment of pectus excavatum should be based are as follows: (1) bilateral removal of the "culprit" costal cartilages, (2) adequate mobilization of the sternum and correction of the sternal positional deformity by transverse osteotomy, (3) stabilizing the corrected position of the sternum with a substernal "hammock" support. Using this technique the author developed new surgical techniques for the correction of different varieties of chest wall deformities: Pectus excavatum, asymmetric pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum with xiphoid angulation, horizontal pectus excavatum, asymmetric pectus carinatum, chondrosternal prominence with chondrogladiolar depression, and recurrent pectus excavatum. The present method applied for correction of pectus excavatum utilizes the above principles and a substernal Marlex mesh support with bilateral muscle coverage. For carinatum repair, the author routinely uses positional correction of the sternum and sternal shortening. Patients who have significant pectus deformities should undergo surgical repair, preferably between one and eight years of age.     

Pectus excavatum: special surgical technique, perioperative management and long-term results.

BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that pectus excavatum should be repaired in childhood if possible. The procedure could be performed conveniently even without implantation of any foreign material. In contrast there are several adult patients with aesthenic or marfanoid habitus and poor thorax cosmetics, who seek medical help especially surgical correction due to late awareness or cardiopulmonary dysfunction. METHODS: Between 1989 and 1997, 22 adult patients (mean age 26 years, 18 males and 4 females) underwent repair of the pectus excavatum in our institution. Patients data were analysed retrospectively. Indication was mainly for aesthetics or cardiopulmonary symptoms, in 3 patients for recurrence after primary repair elsewhere. The total surgical repair technique consisted of V-shape osteotomy of the ribs at the outer and inner limit of the funnel and transverse osteotomy of the sternum without displacement of the posterior cortical The sternal and chest wall stabilization in corrected position was performed with at least two metal struts installed transsternal and transversely. In most of our cases other diagonal struts on both sides were needed to achieve further stabilization of the lowest costal cartilages. The metal struts are removed 1 year after the procedure. RESULTS: All repairs were completed with a low complication rate. Chest radiographs and pulmonary function studies were performed routinely before and after corrective surgery. Good to satisfactory chest contour was achieved in 20 patients (91%), with a follow-up from 5 months to 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our current technique with perioperative management is successfully performed in adults and will be presented.     

Repair of Pectus Excavatum by Sternal Eversion

Pectus excavatum was repaired by the sternal eversion (turnover) technique in 26 patients over a 7-year period. Vascular supply to the sternal graft was maintained by preservation of one internal mammary vascular pedicle. Good results were obtained in 21 (81%) patients followed for periods ranging from 2 to 76 months (mean, 32 months) postoperatively. Four patients (15%) had fair results; 2 patients with Marfan's syndrome had partial recurrence, as did 1 patient with skin necrosis and 1 with hypertrophic scar. One patient (4%) had a poor early result due to wound infection and distal sternal necrosis requiring reoperation. Other complications were minor: superficial wound seroma in 2 patients and pneumothorax in 1.The sternal eversion technique for repair of pectus excavatum utilizes the concave shape of the sternum when turned over to create a cosmetically acceptable convex anterior chest wall contour. Judicious tailoring of the costal cartilages and shaping of the anterior sternum corrects asymmetrical deformities. The chest wall is very stable after repair. Since no prosthetic struts or pins are used, a second operation for removal is avoided. Preservation of the vascular supply to the sternum should allow normal growth of the anterior chest wall. The results have been sufficiently encouraging for us to recommend sternal eversion as the primary method for repair of pectus excavatum.     

Improved chest wall fixation for correction of pectus excavatum.

Pectus excavatum, the most common congenital chest wall abnormality, is manifested by deformity of the costal cartilages resulting in a depressed and often rotated sternum. Although there are conflicting data to support and reject the concept that physiologic improvement can be a consequence of surgical repair, correction is frequently indicated for aesthetic improvement alone. The most popular current repair involves resection of abnormal costal cartilages, sternal osteotomy and mobilisation, followed by fixation of the sternum in the corrected position. Improved fixation techniques have evolved, but generally have not employed current concepts of rigid fixation. The correction of pectus excavatum using reconstruction plates incorporates the benefits of rigid fixation, while allowing custom chest wall contouring and sternal reorientation. Reconstruction plate fixation of the sternum should be considered during correction of pectus excavatum in adult and adolescent patients.     

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum and carinatum.

This paper contains an analysis of the long-term results in 85 patients who had pectus excavatum or carinatum deformities repaired at the North Middlesex Hospital between 1951 and 1977. Seventy-seven patients had operations for correction of pectus excavatum and eight for pectus carinatum. A variety of surgical techniques was used. In the excavatum deformities the best results were obtained by the extensive resection of all deformed cartilages, the correction of the sternal deformity by a simple transverse wedge osteotomy, and by stabilising the chest with a stainless steel plate. For pectus carinatum, the involved cartilages were resected and an osteotomy of the sternum was performed. We preferred in most cases to stabilise the chest wall with a metal strut in this deformity as well. The best cosmetic results were achieved by the use of a stainless steel plate passed beneath the sternum and left for not more than six months.     

改良胸骨上举术治疗漏斗胸

目的探讨改良胸骨上举术治疗漏斗胸以取得操作简便、创伤小、不易复发的手术方法。方法通过松解剑突后牵拉纤维束、矫正胸肋软骨反向关节畸形、胸骨前板V形截骨钢丝固定、斜形切除部分软骨牵拉固定等改进胸骨上举术方法治疗漏斗胸。结果1997年3月以来，治疗8例漏斗胸患儿，其中4例术前心率快者术中解除胸骨压迫后心率立即减缓。术中出血少，术后胸部形态恢复正常，活动能力明显改善。未出现气胸、感染等并发症。随访6个月～1年，未见畸形复发。结论改良胸骨上举术治疗漏斗胸畸形是安全有效的治疗方法。     

Reactive pectus carinatum in patients treated for pectus excavatum

Purpose

The Ravitch and minimally invasive Nuss procedures have brought widespread relief to children with pectus excavatum, chest wall deformities, over the last half century. Generally accepted long-term complications of pectus excavatum repair are typically limited to recurrence of the excavatum deformity or persistent pain. This study examines the authors' experience with patients who develop a subsequent carinatum deformity within 1 year of pectus excavatum repair.

Methods

The authors retrospectively assessed the charts of all patients diagnosed as having a carinatum deformity subsequent to treatment for pectus excavatum at a tertiary urban hospital. We noted age at original correction of pectus excavatum, time from original correction to diagnosis of carinatum deformity, age at correction of carinatum deformity, complaints before correction, methods of repair, postoperative complications, and we reviewed relevant radiography.

Results

Three patients who underwent pectus excavatum repair between January 2000 and August 2007 developed a subsequent carinatum deformity. Two patients initially underwent minimally invasive Nuss correction of pectus excavatum; 1 patient underwent the Ravitch procedure. Within 1 year of original correction and despite intraoperative achievement of neutral sternal position, a protruding anterior chest deformity resembling de novo pectus carinatum emerged in each patient; we term this condition reactive pectus carinatum. The mean age of patients undergoing initial pectus excavatum repair was 13 years (range, 11-16 years). The pathophysiology of this reactive lesion is not well understood but is thought to originate from reactive fibroblastic stimulation as a result of sternal manipulation and bar placement. Patients who underwent Nuss correction initially were managed with early bar removal. Two of the patients eventually required surgical resection of the carinatum deformity at a time interval of 3 to 6 years after initial excavatum repair. In one patient, the carinatum deformity resolved spontaneously. Neutral chest position and absence of dyspenic symptoms were achieved in all patients.

Conclusions

Reactive pectus carinatum is functionally encumbering and a poor cosmetic complication of either the Ravitch or minimally invasive Nuss procedures. Our experience with reactive pectus carinatum introduces the importance of postoperative vigilance even in patients without underlying fibroelastic disease. Examination of the chest with attention to the possibility of an emerging carinatum deformity, particularly in the first 6 postoperative months, is paramount. A telephone call to the patient at 3 months may be a useful adjunct to clinic visits. An optimal long-term result may be achieved through a combination of early Nuss bar removal or postpubertal pectus carinatum repair.     

Repair of pectus excavatum deformities: 30 years of experience with 375 patients

OBJECTIVE: To review the surgical experience with pectus excavatum chest deformities at UCLA Medical Center during a 30-year period. BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum is a relatively common malformation that is often symptomatic; however, children's physicians often do not refer patients for surgical correction. METHODS: Hospital records from 375 patients who underwent repair of pectus excavatum deformities between 1969 and 1999 were reviewed. Decrease in stamina and endurance during exercise was reported by 67%; 32% had frequent respiratory infections, 8% had chest pain, and 7% had asthma. The mean pectus severity score (width of chest divided by distance between posterior surface of sternum and anterior surface of spine) was 4.65 (normal chest = 2.56). All patients had marked cardiac deviation into the left chest. Repair was performed with subperiosteal resection of the abnormal cartilages, transverse wedge osteotomy of the anterior sternum, and internal support with a steel strut for 6 months. Repair was performed on 177 children before age 11 years; 38 adults with severe symptoms underwent repair. RESULTS: The mean hospital stay was 3.1 days. With a mean follow-up of 12.6 years, all patients with preoperative respiratory symptoms, exercise limitation, and chest pain experienced improvement. Vital capacity increased 11% (mean) within 9 months in 35 patients evaluated. There were no deaths. Complications included hypertrophic scar formation (35), atelectasis (12), pleural effusion (13), recurrent sternal depression (5), and pericarditis (3). More than 97% had a very good or excellent result. CONCLUSION: Pectus excavatum deformities can be repaired with a low rate of complications, a short hospital stay, and excellent long-term physiologic and cosmetic results.     

Repair of pectus excavatum without the introduction of exogenous material

We review our experience of surgical repair for pectus excavatum without the introduction of exogenous material. Two hundred seven patients underwent surgical repair. Sterno-costal elevation was adopted for 196 patients. Sternal turnover was employed for 11 adult patients with severe asymmetric deformities. In sterno-costal elevation, a section of the 3rd or 4th to the 7th costal cartilages were resected, and all of the cartilage stumps were resutured to the sternum. The secured ribs generate 0.5 to 12 kg of tension, pulling the sternum bilaterally, such that the resultant force causes the sternum to rise anteriorly and prevents flail chest. We've made modifications such as resection of the lower tip of the sternum below the 6th cartilage junction, or a diagonal groove on the sternal cortex to get better correction in any age group. There were neither operative death nor any severe complications, and in all cases the deformities were corrected satisfactorily. Patients resumed unlimited daily activities within 3 months after surgery. Our technique represents a less invasive procedure with low operative risk for the repair of pectus excavatum in any age group.     

Long-term observation in 68 patients operated on for pectus excavatum: surgical repair of funnel chest

BACKGROUND: Recurrence after correction of pectus excavatum may sometimes occur, but its origin is not clear. The type of deformity, surgical technique, and patient lifestyle after operation can all affect the final shape of the thorax. The purpose of the present study was to compare the short-, medium-, and long-term cosmetic results of funnel chest repair. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (mean age, 12.1+/-5.4 years; 48 male) were operated on for pectus excavatum using the same surgical technique: subperichondrial resection of the abnormal costal cartilages and stabilization of the elevated anterior chest wall with Kirschner's wires. The patients were followed up every year (1 to 10 years) after operation, and the anterior chest wall contour was checked by physical examination and x-ray film. RESULTS: Excellent to good cosmetic results 1 year after operation were achieved in 66 patients (97.1%). During the later follow-up period, a mild or moderate degree of recurrent sternal depression was noted in 6 patients (8.8%), teenagers only, 3 to 9 years after primary repair. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique for correction of pectus excavatum yields good short-term cosmetic results. Late recurrence of the deformity occurs during pubertal growth and does not appear to depend on surgical technique or length of follow-up.     

Repair of a floating sternum with autologous rib grafts and polylactide bioabsorbable struts in an 18-year-old male

Failed regeneration of costal cartilage after open repair of pectus chest wall deformities can result in a floating sternum. A floating sternum can be repaired by insertion of a rib graft between the rib and sternum, and stabilization with a metal strut. The metal implant is usually removed with a second operation. We report use of bioabsorbable struts to stabilize rib grafts during repair of a floating sternum in an 18-year-old male with a failed open repair of pectus carinatum. He had an uncomplicated peri-operative course. One year later, the sternum had a normal appearance and was sturdy. A second operation for removal of hardware was not necessary.     

Surgical repair of pectus carinatum

Pectus carinatum represents a variety of protrusion deformities of the anterior chest wall. Although various non-operative methods of treatment have been employed, surgery has been widely accepted as the only effective method for the correction of pectus carinatum. We evaluate our 14 year single center experience of pectus carinatum correction on 111 patients using a uniform technique of internal stabilization employing stainless steel struts. Operative correction required double bilateral chondrotomy parasternally and at points of transition to normal ribs, followed by detorsion of the sternum, retrosternal mobilization and correction of the everted sternum as well as of the everted and inverted ribs. The mobilized sternum after incomplete wedge osteotomy was finally stabilized by one transternal and two bilateral parasternal metal struts. The corrections were completed with successful repair in 109 patients (98.2%). Major recurrences in 2 patients (1.8%) were corrected while mild recurrence were observed in 3 patients (2.7%).     

Technical considerations in the surgical management of pectus excavatum and carinatum

During the past 25 years, 650 operations have been performed on 608 patients for anatomically significant pectus excavatum or carinatum deformities of the anterior chest wall. There were no deaths in this series, and serious complications were very rare.We conclude that repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities should include the following operative steps: (1) adequate mobilization of the sternum and correction of its abnormal angulation by transverse osteotomy; (2) adequate bilateral removal of the involved costal cartilage; and (3) securing the corrected position of the sternum with the patient's own living tissue, retaining its blood supply and using it as an internal support.Using these principles, new surgical procedures were developed for the correction of: symmetrical pectus excavatum, asymmetrical pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum with xiphoid angulation, pectus carinatum without xiphoid angulation, asymmetrical pectus carinatum, chondromanubrial prominence with chondrogladiolar depression, and recurrent pectus excavatum.We recommend surgical correction for patients in whom the deformity is significant and no contraindication exists. The ill effects of this condition should not be underestimated.     

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 pati-ents (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. Received: 23 July 1998 Accepted: 26 November 1998     

Anterior chest wall deformities and congenital heart disease

Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum usually exist as isolated abnormalities. Only 19 cases of associated congenital heart defects have been reported. Significant complications related to uncorrected pectus excavatum have been described either during or after cardiac operations. Therefore we reviewed our experience with these coexisting lesions to assess the risk of surgical repair of chest wall deformities before and after correction of congenital cardiac anomalies. Among 20,860 infants and children with congenital heart disease seen at our institution, 36 (0.17%) had associated anterior thoracic deformities, 22 of whom underwent surgical correction of pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum. Ten of these 22 patients had pectus repair after a cardiac operation. Pleural or pericardial entry was avoided in all and none required a blood transfusion. Ten other patients had pectus repair either before cardiac repair (five patients) or without a subsequent cardiac operation. Another patient had a cardiac operation performed through a median sternotomy both before and after pectus repair, and the remaining patient, early in the series, had simultaneous banding of the main pulmonary artery and repair of pectus excavatum complicated by chest wall instability and a lethal intrathoracic hemorrhage. The experience indicates that congenital chest wall deformities can be safely and effectively repaired after early correction of congenital heart defects through a median sternotomy, although repair of the chest wall deformity after cardiac surgery also gives good results. However, in children who require an extracardiac conduit for repair of their congenital heart defect, we recommend initial repair of the pectus excavatum followed at 6 weeks or later by repair of the cardiac lesion to eliminate possible extrinsic compression of the conduit by the depressed sternum. We avoid simultaneous cardiac and pectus excavatum repair because of potential associated major complications.     

改良带腹直肌蒂胸骨翻转术治疗小儿漏斗胸

目的 探讨小儿漏斗胸的手术治疗方法。方法 １９８７年以来采用改良带腹直肌蒂胸骨翻转术,对２０例小儿漏斗胸患者进行手术治疗。结果 ２０例漏斗胸患者矫正均满意,经６～３６个月随访无复发,其中术前行骨质密度检测的患者,手术后６个月复查,检测值与术前相同。结论 改良带腹直肌蒂胸骨翻转术具有操作简便、出血少、胸肋片血运好、术后恢复快、凹陷畸形矫正满意、无复发等优点。值得在临床上推广。     

Repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum in adults

BACKGROUND: There is sparse published information regarding the repair of pectus chest deformities in adults. This report summarizes our clinical experience with the surgical repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities in 25 adults. METHODS: During the past 11 years, 25 patients 20 years of age or older (mean 31) with symptomatic pectus excavatum (23) or carinatum (2) deformities underwent surgical repair using a temporary internal sternal support bar. RESULTS: Each of the patients with decreased stamina and endurance or dyspnea with exercise experienced marked clinical improvement within 4 months postoperation. Exercise-induced asthma was improved in 6 of 7 patients; chest pain was reduced in each of 9 patients. Postoperative complications included pneumothorax (1), keloid (2), and discomfort from sternal bar (2). The sternal bar was removed 7 to 10 months postoperation in 19 patients; there has been no return of preoperative symptoms or recurrent depression in any patient with a mean follow-up of 4.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: For adults who have symptoms and activity limitations related to uncorrected pectus chest deformities, surgical repair can be performed with low morbidity, low cost, minimal limitation in activity, and a high frequency of symptomatic improvement. The operation in adults is more difficult than in children, although the results are similar.     

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum

It has been observed that some patients who had correction of funnel chest deformity by methods which failed to provide fixed elevation of the involved sternal segment developed progressive sagging in later years in spite of looking good at the operating table. This has led to the adoption of a new technique of double sternal support. This procedure has resulted in 35 of 37 children (94%) being classified as excellent or satisfactory. This double support was initially established in 1959 by overlapping the upper transsected sternum while maintaining elevation of the lower end with a soft tissue sling of perichondrium and intercostal muscle. Beginning in 1961, a rigid bridge of rib or stainless steel bar was substituted at the lower end of the sternum. This has provided better support and the current preference of using the steel bar has been validated in this group of patients. The few disappointments were related to removal of the bar earlier than desired, failure to excise all the protruding sternal cartilage stumps or rib graft tips and inability to cover the lateral sternal edges with pectoral muscles. If possible, the steel bar should not be removed before 12 mo. When these pitfalls were avoided, the results were almost uniformly excellent. The wisdom of excising all depressed cartilaginous segments, as advocated by Ravitch in 1949,⁴ has been substantiated. A submammary transverse incision has provided an excellent cosmetic appearance. The morbidity has been low and the mortality zero.In spite of the absence of objective evidence of cardiopulmonary dysfunction, there seems to be an almost uniform improvement in appearance and in patient activity following successful correction of the funnel chest. The latter may be as much a psychological response as a physiologic one. The low morbidity, satisfactory long term results, and general improvement in the patient's body image and outlook on life indicate the need to offer correction of the severe pectus excavatum deformity to low risk children.     

Modified Ravitch procedure: using a pectus bar for posttraumatic pectus excavatum

Guidelines for surgical management of posttraumatic pectus excavatum have not been established due to the variable clinical manifestations and limited number of cases. A 34-year-old man who was involved in a truck-mixer vehicle crash 6 months previously complained of a depressed anterior chest wall deformity. The patient had successfully undergone subperichondral resection, sternal osteotomy, and pectus bar insertion placed under the depressed sternum, followed by bar rotation for elevation of the chest wall. This case illustrates that a modified Ravitch procedure, using a pectus bar, may be an alternative for posttraumatic pectus excavatum.     

Repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities in 116 adults

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of surgically correcting pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities in adult patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although pectus chest deformities are common, many patients progress to adulthood without surgical repair and experience increasing symptoms. There are sparse published data regarding repair of pectus deformities in adults. METHODS: Since 1987, 116 patients over the age of 18 years with pectus excavatum (n = 104) or carinatum (n = 12) deformities underwent correction using a highly modified Ravitch repair, with a temporary internal support bar. The ages ranged from 19 to 53 years (mean 30.1). Eighty-six patients sought repair after reviewing information regarding pectus deformities available on the Internet. Each patient experienced dyspnea with mild exertion and decreased endurance; 84 had chest pain with activity; 75 had palpitations and/or tachycardia. Seven patients underwent repair for symptomatic recurrent deformities. The mean severity score (chest width divided by distance from sternum to spine) was 4.8. The sternal bar was removed from 101 patients 6 months after the repair without complications. RESULTS: Each of the patients with reduced endurance or dyspnea with mild exercise experienced marked improvement within 6 months. Chest discomfort was reduced in 82 of the 84 patients. Complications included pleural effusion (n = 7), pneumothorax (n = 2), pericarditis (n = 2), dislodged sternal bar (n = 3), and mildly hypertrophic scar (n = 12). Mean hospitalization was 2.9 days; mean blood loss was 122 mL. Pain was mild and of short duration (intravenous analgesics were used a mean of 2.1 days). There were no deaths. With a mean follow-up of 4.3 years, 109 of 113 respondents had a very good or excellent result. CONCLUSIONS: Although technically more difficult than in children, pectus deformities may be repaired in adults with low morbidity, short hospital stay, and very good physiologic and cosmetic results.