ABSTRACT
@#Objective To explore the practical feasibility of the weaving technique for pectus carinatum. Methods From January 2011 to December 2018, a total of 51 patients with pectus carinatum, including 47 males and 4 females at age of 9-29 (13.7±2.9) years, were applied with minimally invasive waving technique for the correction. The steel plate was inserted through the subcutaneous layer, intercostal space and over the sternal surface under direct thoracoscopic vision. The number of implanted steel plates was determined by the degree of chest wall deformity. The steel plate was removed 2 years after surgery. Results All the operations were successfully completed, the average operation time was 63.9±15.8 min, the amount of bleeding was 19.8±8.8 mL, and the duration of postoperative hospitalization was 4.6±1.6 d. The adverse events included intercostal artery injury (n=2), pneumothorax (n=4), pleural effusion (n=3) and skin rupture (n=1). And there were 29 patients of moderate pain (numerical rating scale 4-6 points) on the first day after surgery, but no patient was asked to remove the steel palate due to intolerable discomfort. All patients were followed up after plate placement. Of the 51 patients, the plates were removed in 37 patients until 2 years after placement, and the duration of postoperative hospitalization was 1.4±0.5 d. After 33 (1-48) months of routine follow-up after the removal of the plate, 22 patients achieved excellent outcomes and 9 patients with good outcomes. Besides, there were 5 patients with fair outcome and 1 patient with poor outcome. No adverse effect was found in growth and development after the steel plate placement. Conclusion Minimally invasive weaving technique is a safe, feasible, effective and individualized operation for pectus carinatum with substantial thoracic reconstruction.