Evaluation of cross-bar and parallel-bar techniques in MIRPE surgery in different countries: a multicenter study

Parallel- and cross-bar techniques are surgical methods used in the pectus excavatum. While the parallel bar is used in many centers, the cross bar is a new technique. The aim of the study is to evaluate the data of centers using cross bar and parallel bar. The aim of this multicenter study is to retrospectively evaluate the data of centers have been using both cross-bar and parallel-bar techniques. 213 parallel bars and 205 cross bars were used. Parallel-bar advantages: the mean patient satisfaction score was 9.40 ± 0.95. Cross-bar advantages: the rate of patients with symmetric deformity was 75.6%, recurrence 0.5%. The mean patient satisfaction score was 9.40 ± 0.95 in operations performed with the parallel-bar technique and 9.13 ± 1.11 in operations performed with the cross-bar technique (p < 0.05). Recurrence was observed in 3.3% of patients undergoing surgery using the parallel-bar technique and 0.5% of patients undergoing surgery using the cross-bar technique (p < 0.04). The cross-bar technique is more advantageous in terms of the recurrence, while second, the parallel-bar technique is associated with greater patient satisfaction. Comparison of data from different countries reveals the differences between patients who have been treated with minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum and the outcomes of surgery.