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A vascularised rib strut technique for funnel chest correction.
Y Nakanishi1, T Nakajima, A Sakakibara
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Fujita Health University Hospital, Japan.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery
|July 1, 1992
Summary
This study refines the Ravitch technique for funnel chest surgery by using a living rib strut to support the elevated sternum. This innovative approach yielded satisfactory results in all 10 surgical cases.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Surgical innovation
Background:
- Funnel chest (pectus excavatum) is a congenital chest wall deformity requiring surgical correction.
- The Ravitch technique is a traditional method for sternal elevation.
- Existing techniques may have limitations in long-term sternal support.
Observation:
- A modified Ravitch technique was developed for surgical correction of funnel chest.
- The key modification involves using a vascularized living rib strut (left 5th rib) to support the elevated sternum.
- The rib strut is transposed with its vascular pedicle from the internal thoracic artery.
Findings:
- The refined technique was successfully applied in 10 patients with funnel chest.
- All 10 cases demonstrated satisfactory surgical outcomes.
- The living rib strut effectively supported the elevated sternum post-operatively.
Implications:
- This modification offers a potentially more stable and robust method for sternal support in funnel chest repair.
- The use of a vascularized autologous rib graft may reduce complications associated with synthetic implants.
- Further research could explore long-term outcomes and broader applicability of this technique.