Marlex mesh support for the correction of very severe and recurrent pectus excavatum

A method for the correction of very severe and recurrent pectus excavatum is presented. The technique consists of mobilization of the sternum, transverse osteotomy, parasternal resection of the costal cartilages (modified Ravitch procedure), followed by placement of Marlex mesh behind the sternum and suturing the edge of the Marlex mesh to the peripheral stump of the resected ribs. This method has been used with good results in 6 patients, 2 of them with recurrent deformities.