Minimally invasive repair for pectus excavatum -- aesthetic and/or functional?

Pectus excavatum is the most frequent anterior thoracic wall congenital malformation. This malformation is increasing its effects with the aging process and has its peak during teenage, when the clinical symptoms become more acute and psychological effects are really important. Across the course of time many treatment techniques have been proposed, among which conservative or surgical correction techniques. The minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, "Nuss technique", developed after 1987, is the most frequently performed technique world wide.

This article analyzes 52 patients, admitted to the University Emergency Military Hospital "Carol Davila" - Thoracic Surgery Department, diagnosed, investigated and surgically treated according to Nuss procedure. Therapeutic and diagnostic protocols will be presented and analyzed: clinical and paraclinical evaluation, indications and contraindications of Nuss procedure, as well as possible intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Nuss procedure's benefits will be presented, as well as improvements of functional and aesthetic parameters. Nuss procedure has a series of advantages: minimally invasive surgical procedure reduced operative time, minimal blood loss and fast socio-professional reinstatement.