Pleural and pericardial morbidity after minimal access repair of pectus excavatum

Purpose  The aim of this study was to evaluate the pleural and pericardial morbidity in patients that had undergone pectus excavatum corrections using minimal access repair of pectus excavatum (MARPE) at a single center. Materials and methods  Data from patients after MARPE from 2000 to 2007 were prospectively collected. Patients with pneumothorax and pleural and pericardial effusions were identified. Results  One hundred eighty patients were corrected by MARPE. Eighty-four were identified to have pleural or pericardial morbidities. Pneumothorax was documented in 33 patients and five required placement of a chest tube. Pleural effusions were recorded in 53 and were found to recur in four patients. Drainage was necessary in 18 patients. Pericardial effusions were observed in five patients; in two cases, they were associated with recurring pleural effusions, suggesting postcardiomyotomy syndrome. Conclusions  MARPE is associated with a high rate of pleural and pericardial morbidities, but only a small number requires interventions.