Surgical correction of pectus excavatum: the Münster experience

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital hereditary chest-wall deformity. This study analyses a single-center experience of pectus excavatum-thoracic wall reconstruction using a uniform technique of internal stabilization employing stainless steel struts.

From June 1984 to December 1997, we performed correction operations on 777 patients with pectus excavatum. The condition occurred more frequently in boys (621 patients) than girls (156 patients). Surgical repair was performed using a standard method of double bilateral chondrotomy parasternally and at points of transition to normal ribs. This was followed by detorsion of the sternum, retrosternal mobilization and correction of the inverted ribs. The anteriorly displaced sternum was stabilized by one trans-sternal and two bilateral parasternal metal struts.

The corrections were completed with successful repair in 765 patients (98.5%) with a low complication rate of 6.7%. The follow-up period ranged from 4 weeks to 12 years, mean 6.4 years. Major recurrences were observed in 12 patients (1.5%) and mild recurrence were observed in 35 patients (4.5%).

Significant reduction in postoperative cardiorespiratory disorders, low lethality, improvement of subjective complaints, satisfactory long-term results and improvement in psychological problems indicate the need to offer this method of surgical correction to low-risk children.