The bridge technique for pectus bar fixation: a method to make the bar un-rotatable

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Pectus bar rotation poses a significant challenge in pectus repair surgeries.
• Current techniques often fail to completely prevent bar displacement, leading to complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a new "bridge technique" for pectus bar fixation.
• To determine if this technique can eliminate bar displacement in pectus excavatum repair.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 80 patients undergoing pectus excavatum repair using the bridge technique.
• Two parallel bars were connected using plate-screws at their ends.
• Sternum-to-bar angles were measured postoperatively (POD5) and at 4 months (POM4) to assess bar position.

Main Results:

• Bar position remained virtually unchanged between POD5 and POM4 (mean differences of 0.23° and 0.35° for upper and lower bars, respectively).
• No instances of bar dislocation or need for reoperation were reported.
• The technique demonstrated high stability and reliability in maintaining bar position.

Conclusions:

• The bridge technique effectively prevents pectus bar displacement in pectus excavatum repair.
• This method is simple to implement, requiring no sutures or invasive devices.
• It offers a reliable solution to a common challenge in pectus repair.