[Thoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum correction].

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Pediatric surgery

Background:

• Pectus excavatum is a congenital chest wall deformity.
• The Nuss procedure is a widely adopted surgical technique for correction.
• Evaluating the short-term outcomes and patient experience is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the short-term efficacy and patient experience of the Nuss procedure.
• To analyze outcomes in a cohort of 120 patients with pectus excavatum.
• To document operative details and complication rates.

Main Methods:

• Thoracoscopy-assisted Nuss procedure performed under general anesthesia.
• Insertion of a convex steel bar to correct sternal depression.
• Variations in technique, including bar number and modifications for asymmetry, were employed.

Main Results:

• Successful correction in all 120 cases with no severe complications.
• Average operative time of 58 minutes and mean blood loss of 30 ml.
• 1-3 bars were used depending on deformity severity; modifications addressed asymmetry.

Conclusions:

• The Nuss procedure is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for pectus excavatum.
• Satisfactory outcomes and reduced surgical time are key benefits.
• The technique is adaptable for various presentations, including asymmetric deformities.