Endoscopically assisted pectus excavatum repair

We present an endoscopic approach for the reconstruction of pectus excavatum with a custom silicone implant. The procedure incorporates endoscopic techniques to facilitate dissection of an extensive subcutaneous pocket through a 6-cm Chevron skin incision 8 cm below the level of the xiphoid. The incision is designed based on the size, shape, and flexibility of the custom implant and the configuration of the chest wall deformity. A superiorly based rectus abdominis anterior fascial sheath flap then is elevated up to the caudal-most margin of the implant, creating a sling below the implant, thus stabilizing its position and preventing direct communication with the overlying skin incision. In our patient, the endoscope permitted insertion of the custom implant while minimizing the length of incision. The cosmetic result using a minimally invasive approach to assist with the dissection was acceptable, and the morbidity and scarring were minimized.