Thoracoscopic extrapleural Nuss procedure versus traditional intrapleural Nuss procedure: a case control study

Objective To compare the safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic extrapleural Nuss procedure with traditional intrapleural Nuss procedure. Methods Total 252 patients with pectus excavatum received Nuss surgery from July 2008 to June 2009 in Beijing children' s hospital. Patients had following condition were excluded; (1) recurrent pectus excavatum; (2) complicated with other diseases, and need simultaneous surgery; (3) older than 13-year-old; (4) extensive depression, and need two Nuss bar; or (5) extreme severe or severe unsymmetric. 131 cases were selected in our study and they were randomly divided into two groups, thoracoscopic extrapleural Nuss procedure ( n = 62 ) and traditional intrapleural Nuss procedure ( n =69). Perioperative information, postoperative complications, effectiveness and the location of the Nuss bar were compared between two groups. Results All the 131 patients had completed the procedure successfully. There were no significant differences in age, Haller index; surgical effects, operation time, blood loss, and hospital stay, between two groups. Postoperative complications between the two groups are not significant. 131 patients were followed up from 14 to 26 months, and no recurrence and long-term complications occurred. About more than half cases of extrapleural Nuss procedure group were break the pleural into thoracic cavity. Conclusion Both extrapleural and intrapleural Nuss procedure are safe and effective for pectus excavatum, but extrapleural Nuss procedure have no advantage to the intrapleural Nuss procedure, also it' s hard to observe the other side of thoracic cavity during the surgery, and not easy to grasp and to promote. Key words: Pectus excavatum/surgery;  Nuss procedure