NUSS procedure for the correction of pectus excavatum

Objective To investigate the short-term effects of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum(NUSS procedure).Method 3 patients were all treated with NUSS procedure,which were performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.A transverse incision was made in each lateral chest wall and a steel bar was passed under the sternum from the right thoracic cavity under thoracoscope,then the bar was turned over to raise the sternum to the normal position.The bar was fixed to bilateral costal bones by using two stabilizing bars.Results 3 cases all got the successful operation,without complications during the surgery.The operation time ranged from 30 to 70 min(average 47 min) and the post-operative hospital stay ranged from 7 to 12 days(average 10 days). The post-operative pain and fever were less than 3 days and without pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema.No unilateral stabilizing bar displacement and incision infection were found in body examination 1 month after operation. Conclusion The NUSS procedure is safe and effective for the correction of pecrus excavatum in children,and with the advantages of microinvasive,beautiful outlook,less time during operation,simple handling and satisfactory short-term efficacy.