Combining Correction of Pectus Excavatum and Open Heart Surgery in a Single-Stage Procedure

Area of Science:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Thoracic Deformity Correction

Background:

• Pectus excavatum complicates open heart surgery infrequently.
• Optimal surgical strategies for combined pectus excavatum repair and open heart surgery remain undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a single-stage surgical approach for pectus excavatum in patients requiring open heart surgery.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the modified Nuss procedure (ad modum Pilegaard) in this specific patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A modified Nuss procedure (ad modum Pilegaard) was performed in a single stage concurrently with open heart surgery.
• The procedure was applied to 4 patients with pectus excavatum undergoing open heart surgery.

Main Results:

• Three out of the four patients successfully completed the single-stage procedure.
• All patients experienced no Nuss bar-related complications at follow-up.
• Excellent cosmetic results were achieved in all patients post-bar removal.

Conclusions:

• The modified Nuss procedure (ad modum Pilegaard) offers a viable single-stage solution for pectus excavatum in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
• This approach demonstrates safety, efficacy, and favorable cosmetic outcomes in this rare clinical scenario.