Modified Nuss procedure for the correction of pectus excavatum

Objective Video-assisted thoracoscopic Nuss procedure has become the standard method in the treatment of pectus excavatum.In order to decrease the trauma,the Nuss procedure is modified.To explore the early experience of modified Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum without the assistance of thoracoscopic surgery.Methods Twenty-eight pectus excavatum patients were treated by modified Nuss procedure without thoracoscope from Februrary 2009 to March 2010,the age ranged from 2.6 to 21 years,the average age was 6.9 years.All patients were performed without the assistance of thoracoscope.Twenty-five patients were symmetic pectus excavatum and 3 patients were asymmetric pectus excavatum.Results The operation in all patients were successfully accomplished,with the operative time ranging from 35 to 68 minutes,the average blood loss was less than 20ml.Pneumothorax and pneumoderma occurred in 5 patients,all resolved by expectant treatment.The average hospital length of stay was 6.2 days.Orthopaedic results evaluation showed excellent in 25 patients and good in 3 patients.All patients were followed up in 1-14 months without any complaints,there were no bar displacement.Conclusion Modified Nuss procedure without thoracoscope is easy to be performed.It is safe and minimally invasive,and characterized by short operative time and fast recovery.It gives satisfactory short-term results,long-term results require further observed.