Surgical Repair of Pectus Arcuatum

Area of Science:

• Thoracic surgery
• Orthopedic surgery
• Chest wall reconstruction

Background:

• Pectus arcuatum is a rare chest wall deformity caused by premature fusion of sternal ossification centers.
• Surgical intervention is typically pursued for cosmetic reasons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical outcomes of using titanium plate systems for pectus arcuatum repair.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this surgical technique in adult patients.

Main Methods:

• A prospective review of 27 pectus arcuatum patients (24 undergoing surgery) aged 17 and older.
• A hybrid surgical technique involving sternal osteotomy, costochondral excision, titanium plate fixation, and optional excavatum bar insertion.
• Follow-up assessments every 3 to 6 months.

Main Results:

• All patients tolerated the surgery well, with a mean surgical time of 118 minutes and a mean hospital stay of 5.6 days.
• One patient experienced manageable post-operative effusion; mean return to daily activity was 12 days.
• Mean follow-up was 42 months, with all patients reporting excellent or very good cosmetic results.

Conclusions:

• Pectus arcuatum repair in adults using titanium plates is a safe and effective procedure.
• The technique yields satisfactory cosmetic results with low morbidity and short recovery times.
• This approach is suitable for complex pectus arcuatum cases in adult patients.