Early Efficacy of Minimally Invasive Correction of Pectus Excavatum in Adult Patients / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the feasibility and efficacy of minimally invasive repair for pectus excavatum in adult patients. Methods A total of 23 patients with pectus excavatum aged 18-38 years(mean 24.1?6.6) were treated in our hospital from June 2006 to June 2008.On admission,21 of patients had never been treated,and 2 patients were recurrent cases after Ravitch surgery;the Haller index of the cases ranged from 3.2 to 7.5(mean 4.38?1.16);type I pectus excavatum was diagnosed in 14 of the patients(60.9%) and type II in the other 9(39.1%).Under general anaesthesia with the patients at supine position,two 3-cm incisions were made along the bilateral mid-axillary line at the level of the most pronounced sternal depression.Then,a conductor was penetrated into the mediastinum from the right to the left at almost the same level.After establishing artificial pneumothorax by CO2 gas,a pectus bar(Lorenz) was placed through the mediastinum under the guidance of thoracoscopy.Afterwards,a stabilizer was used to fix the bar at the right side.Both the stabilizer and the bar were fixed to the muscle layer.Chest X-ray was performed to observe the stabilizer and the bar after the operation. Results Among the cases,the procedure was successfully completed in 22 patients.In the other patient,the pericardium and the right atrial appendage were injured,and we had to enlarge the incision for haemostasis.All of the patients were uneventful after the operation.No incisional infection or bar displacement occurred during the perioperative period.During a mean of 16-month follow-up(range 3-24 months),the symptom of chest distress was significant improved,and the cosmetic results were satisfying in 87% of the patients(20/23).Conclusions Minimally invasive repair is feasible and effective for adult patients with pectus excavatum.