Pectus excavatum and congenital cystic lung lesion: simultaneous surgery advocated

Severe pectus excavatum (PE) may be concomitant with congenital cystic lung lesions (CCLLs) that also require surgery. It is ideal to correct these two deformities concurrently, but the safety and efficacy of a simultaneous surgical technique remain unknown.

Between 2007 and 2017, 635 patients with severe PE were admitted at our medical center. Eight patients underwent minimally invasive repair of PE and lobectomy simultaneously. The patient characteristics and operative data were analyzed and compared with another group of patients who underwent lobectomy alone for contemporaneous CCLLs.

The severity of PE (mean Haller index 5.70) and CCLLs were confirmed by computed tomography (CT). Simultaneous minimally invasive repair and lobectomy were performed successfully. There were no significant differences in the mean blood loss (14 mL/kg), the mean weaning time from mechanical ventilation (900 minutes) and the mean hospital stay (16 days) (P>0.05). The mean operative time (170 minutes) was extended, as expected (P=0.02). With a mean follow-up of 22 months, the overall cosmetic results were good.

Simultaneous minimally invasive repair and lobectomy appears to be a technically safe and reliable method for the treatment of concurrent PE and CCLLs, although further studies are needed in the long-term follow-up.