[Technical refinements in planning and surgical therapy of pectus carinatum]

From 1998 to 2002 ten patients underwent surgical correction of pectus carinatum using a new diagnostic preoperative three-dimensional volume rendering mode computed tomography. Particularly the deformed rib cartilages can now also be visualized, which allows exact preoperative planning of the extent of cartilage resection and localization of required sternum osteotomies. This additional information results in a focused surgical approach and hence minimizes scars. As an additional innovation, resorbable plates and screws were used for refixation of the osteotomized parts of the sternum. For postoperative thorax immobilization and hypertrophic scar circumvention, a special keel chest brace was applied in all patients for 6-8 weeks. No complications occurred in any case, and all patients were very content with the aesthetic results achieved.