Journal of Surgical Technique and Case Report
Journal of Surgical Technique and Case Report
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2012  |  Volume : 4  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 86-88

Patient Satisfaction Following Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum: Single Surgeon Experience


1 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom
2 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom
3 Department of General Surgery, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

Correspondence Address:
Anupama Barua
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds, LG13EX
United Kingdom
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2006-8808.110253

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Background: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity in adolescent life. Nuss procedure is a well-established technique for the repair of PE. The indication for correction is mainly medical aesthetic. Advantages of Nuss over conventional methods include reduced length of hospital stay, smaller incisions, and absence of need for osteochondrectomies. Here, we describe our experience with this procedure. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent Nuss procedure by a single surgeon between 2006 and 2010 in a regional center. Indications for surgery included the following: Progressive deformity and psychological stress. All patients underwent chest X-ray and pulmonary function testing. A standard Nuss procedure was performed using a single bar. Patients' satisfaction was assessed by a questionnaire and follow-up clinic letters. Satisfaction with body image was scored on a scale of 1-10. Results: Eleven patients with PE underwent correction by Nuss procedure. Mean age of the patient was 19 years (range: 15-30). The average hospital stay was 7 days (range: 4-23 days). There was no mortality and no episodes of wound infection. In the immediate post-operative period, three patients (12.5%) were noted to have poor pain control. The post-operative course was uneventful in all cases except one patient who developed lung collapse, pleural effusion, and bar dislocation. Hundred percent of patients were satisfied with the scar. Seven patients scored 7 out of 10 on satisfaction with body image and two patients scored 6 or less. None of the patients complained of chronic pain. Conclusion: Nuss procedure is an effective method for the correction of PE. Most patients were satisfied with the outcome and none experienced chronic pain.


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