Long-term results after the modified Ravitch procedure performed in children and adolescents - a one-time procedure without the need to use additional support of the sternum. A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Pectus excavatum is a depression of the sternum. Pectus carinatum, in contrast, is the convexity of the sternum. The mixed form is an intermediate condition. Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice. The techniques most commonly used include the Ravitch and the Nuss procedures. AIM: To assess the immediate and long-term results of the original modification of the surgical treatment for anterior chest wall deformation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The modification is based on the Ravitch procedure. The difference is that the ends of the resected cartilages are shaped like a blade in order to be inserted into the previously prepared wedge-shaped hollows located on both edges of the sternum. The result is long lasting without the need to use additional brackets. RESULTS: The follow-up examinations performed in 72 patients, including 57 boys and 15 girls, were the basis to produce long-term results. As for the type of deformity, out of 57 patients operated on due to pectus excavatum, 43 expressed satisfaction with the very good result. Similar satisfaction was reported in 7 out of 11 patients operated on due to pectus carinatum. There were 4 cases with the mixed form who had very good long-term results. Wound dehiscence was observed in 13 subjects, with one documented recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The alternative treatment we propose is a one-time procedure without the need to use additional support of the sternum. Good long-term results make the procedure suitable to be used more frequently in all types of deformities.

Comparison of lung ultrasound and chest X-ray findings in children with bronchiolitis.

Respiratory syncytial virus is the main pathogen responsible for bronchiolitis. Usually, there is no indication to perform diagnostic imaging or run laboratory tests in patients with bronchiolitis since the diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation. Chest radiogram can be useful in severe cases. So far, lung ultrasound has not been considered as an alternative in guidelines for imaging diagnosis of bronchiolitis. The aim of the study was to compare lung ultrasound and chest X-ray findings in children with bronchiolitis. In our study we retrospectively compared diagnostic imaging findings in children with confirmed respiratory syncytial virus infection. The study included 23 children aged 2 weeks to 24 months and 3 children older than 24 months. Chest X-ray showed lesions in only 4 cases, whereas ultrasound abnormalities were found in 21 patients. Pathologies revealed by chest X-ray were the same for all 4 cases and consisted of an enlarged hilus and peribronchial cuffing. Sonographic lesions included inflammatory consolidations larger than 10 mm in 11 patients, small consolidations (<10 mm diameter) in 8 patients, interstitial syndromes in 6 patients, and alveolar-interstitial syndromes in 11 patients. A small amount of pleural effusion was detected in 3 patients. Considering safety, short time of examination, high sensitivity in finding pleural effusion, small consolidations and signs of interstitial infiltrations, transthoracic lung ultrasound may be useful in the diagnosis of bronchiolitis.