Extra-thoracal migration of the Nuss Bar in corrective surgery for pectus excavatum: a very rare late complication

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Surgical complications

Background:

• Pectus excavatum is a congenital chest wall deformity affecting approximately 1 in 400 live births.
• The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to correct pectus excavatum, aiming to improve respiratory function and chest wall aesthetics.
• While generally safe, surgical interventions carry inherent risks of complications.

Observation:

• This report details the first documented case of a Nuss bar migrating into the gastric cavity following pectus excavatum repair.
• The migration necessitated a secondary surgical procedure for bar removal.
• This highlights an unusual but significant complication associated with the Nuss procedure.

Findings:

• Bar migration into the stomach is a rare but serious complication of the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum.
• Diagnostic imaging, including X-ray and CT scans, can aid in the early detection of bar migration.
• Prompt diagnosis is essential for effective management and patient recovery.

Implications:

• Vigilant postoperative follow-up is critical for patients undergoing the Nuss procedure to monitor for potential complications.
• Awareness of bar migration as a possible complication can guide clinical suspicion and diagnostic workup.
• This case underscores the need for continued research into optimizing surgical techniques and patient monitoring protocols for pectus excavatum repair.