RESUMO
Objective To review the experience of costal cartilageplasty and sternal elevation on pectus excavatum (PE) children. Methods A transverse anterior wedge osteotomy of the sternum is made at the level of maximal depression. The posterior table of the sternum is gently fractured without displacement and then elevated to the desired position. Tight sutures are placed through the anterior table across the osteotomy with stainless-steel wire. The deformed costal cartilages are partially resected subperichondrially and plasty is performed. Between Jan 1994 and Oct 2003, 57 patients who underwent costal cartilageplasty and sternum elevation operation were followed-up. Results With the exception of one patient, all children had normal thoracic contour. The preoperative symptoms improved markedly. Conclusion The costal cartilageplasty and sternum elevation may yield satisfactory results.