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

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Pectus excavatum repair

Background:

• Pectus excavatum is a congenital chest wall deformity.
• Parallel-bar and cross-bar techniques are surgical options for correction.
• The cross-bar technique is a newer approach compared to the established parallel-bar method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of parallel-bar and cross-bar techniques for pectus excavatum repair.
• To evaluate data from multiple centers utilizing both surgical methods.
• To assess patient satisfaction, recurrence rates, and deformity symmetry.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter retrospective study.
• Evaluation of data from 213 parallel-bar procedures and 205 cross-bar procedures.
• Comparison of patient satisfaction scores, recurrence rates, and deformity symmetry between the two techniques.

Main Results:

• Parallel-bar technique: Mean patient satisfaction score of 9.40 ± 0.95, recurrence rate of 3.3%.
• Cross-bar technique: 75.6% symmetric deformity rate, 0.5% recurrence rate, mean patient satisfaction score of 9.13 ± 1.11.
• The cross-bar technique demonstrated a significantly lower recurrence rate (p<0.04), while the parallel-bar technique showed higher patient satisfaction (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• The cross-bar technique is more advantageous in reducing recurrence after pectus excavatum repair.
• The parallel-bar technique is associated with greater patient satisfaction.
• Both techniques are viable surgical options, with distinct advantages influencing patient outcomes and aesthetic results.