Thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss operation in treatment of pectus excavatum

Objective To summarize the early experience of thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss operation in treatment of pectus excavatum.Methods All 18 operations were performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.A transverse incision was made in each lateral chest wall.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,fixed with bilateral costal bones by using two stabilizing bars.The bar was removed 2 years after the procedure.Results The procedure was completed successfully in all the 18 patients.The operating time was 40-70min(mean,55 min).The intraoperative blood loss was 10-20 ml(mean,15 ml).Complications included postoperative pneumothorax in 2 patients,subcutaneous emphysema in 3 patients.The Duration of postoperative hospital stay was 5-10 d(mean,7 d).The excellent and good rate was 89%,excellent in 14 patients and good in 2 patients.Conclusion Nuss procedure is safe,effective,microinvasive,easy to operate,and features as less operation time,quick postoperative recovery,and satisfied short-time effect.Thoracoscope survailance can enhance the safety of operation.