Patient Satisfaction After Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum in Adults: Long-Term Results of Nuss Procedure in Adults (original) (raw)

Outcomes in adult pectus excavatum patients undergoing Nuss repair

Patient Related Outcome Measures, 2018

Pectus excavatum (PEx) is one of the most common congenital chest wall deformities. Depending on the severity, presentation of PEx may range from minor cosmetic issues to disabling cardiopulmonary symptoms. The effect of PEx on adult patients has not been extensively studied. Symptoms may not occur until the patient ages, and they may worsen over the years. More recent publications have implied that PEx may have significant cardiopulmonary implications and repair is of medical benefit. Adults presenting for PEx repair can undergo a successful repair with a minimally invasive "Nuss" approach. Resolution of symptoms, improved quality of life, and satisfying results are reported.

The minimally invasive Nuss technique for recurrent or failed pectus excavatum repair in 50 patients

Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of the minimally invasive technique for recurrent pectus excavatum. Methods: Fifty patients with recurrent pectus excavatum underwent a secondary repair using the minimally invasive technique. Data were reviewed for preoperative symptomatology, surgical data, and postoperative results. Results: Prior repairs included 27 open Ravitch procedures, 23 minimally invasive ( Nuss) procedures, and 2 Leonard procedures. The prior Leonard patients were also prior Ravitches and are therefore counted only once in the analyses. The median age was 16.0 years (range, 3-25 years). The median computed tomography index was 5.3 (range, 2.9-20). Presenting symptoms included shortness of breath (80%), chest pain (70%), asthma or asthma symptoms (26%), and frequent upper respiratory tract infections (14%). Both computed tomography scan and physical exam confirmed cardiac compression and cardiac displacement. Cardiology evaluations confirmed cardiac compression (62%), cardiac displacement (72%), mitral valve prolapse (22%), murmurs (24%), and other cardiac abnormalities (30%). Preoperative pulmonary function tests demonstrated values below 80% normal in more than 50% of patients. Pectus repair was done using a single pectus bar (66%), 2 bars (32%), or 3 bars (2%). Stabilizers were used in 88% of the patients. Median length of surgical time did not significantly differ from that of primary surgeries. Complications were slightly higher than those in primary repairs and included pneumothorax requiring chest tube (14%), hemothorax (8%), pleural effusion requiring drainage (8%), pericarditis (4%), pneumonia (4%), and wound infection (2%). There were no deaths or cardiac perforations. Initial postoperative results were excellent in 70%, good in 28%, and fair in 2%. Late complications of bar shift requiring revision occurred in 8%. Seventeen patients have had bar removals with 9 patients being more than 1 year postremoval. For the 17 patients who are postremoval, excellent results have been maintained in 8 (47%), good in 7 (41%), fair in 1 (6%), and failed in 1 (6%). There have been no recurrences postremoval. 0022-3468/05/4001-0033$30.00/0 D 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Outcome of surgical repair of Pectus Excavatum in adults

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2017

Background: Pectus Excavatum (PEx) is the most common congenital chest wall deformity, accounting for over 90% of all chest wall deformities. Surgical correction is recommended because severe PEx can affect the physical and psychological development of patients. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of surgical repair of Pectus Excavatum in adults during hospital course and results after 1 year. Methods: Prospective study was carried out on 86 adult patients aged ≥ 15 years, 52 males and 34 females (mean age was 26 ± 1.5 years). All cases were divided into two groups, group I: (15-25 years old) and group II: (> 25 years old). Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: Statistical analyses revealed significant improvement postoperatively of cosmetic satisfaction (P-value < 0. 0001), pain (P-value =0.0003), exertional dyspnea (p-value <0.05) and exercise tolerance. The degree of chest compression was significantly improved after surgical correction within 12 months and the estimated measurement postoperatively of Haller Index showed significant reduction (p-value <0.001). Patient satisfaction postoperatively was excellent in 77.9% of all cases. Conclusion: Surgical correction of Pectus Excavatum using open technique in adults had excellent post-operative outcome in the short term follow up that encourage performing the procedure for all cases. Long term results need longer period for follow up. Etiology and predisposing factors still need further research.

Quality of life improves after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum

Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals, 2015

Background: Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity. This deformity may cause physical limitations and psychosocial problems. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum on the quality of life. Methods: This study included 88 patients, aged 18.44 AE 3.93 years (85.2% male), who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum; 40.9% had an associated anomaly or disease, and 17.0% had scoliosis. The patients and their parents completed the patient and parent forms of the Nuss questionnaire modified for adults preoperatively and 6 months after the operation. Results: The patients' median Nuss score increased from 31 (interquartile range 31-35) preoperatively to 43 (interquartile range 43-46) at 6 months after the operation (p ¼ 0.000). The parents' preoperative score of 33 (interquartile range 29-36) increased to 38 (interquartile range 34-41; p ¼ 0.000). Improvements in the physical and psychosocial component scores of the Nuss questionnaire were also significant in the patient (p ¼ 0.000, p ¼ 0.000, respectively) and parent forms (p ¼ 0.005, p ¼ 0.000, respectively). Conclusions: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum significantly improved the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of patients. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term changes related to quality of life.

Difficulties and limitations in minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum — 6 years experiences with Nuss technique

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2006

Objective: In 1998, Dr Donald Nuss proposed minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) which did not require the osteochondrous parts of the anterior chest wall to be resected. The paper aims at presenting the authors' own 6 years of experience in funnel chest repair with MIRPE technique. Also, many technical problems of this method are discussed. Materials and methods: Between 1999 and 2005, 461 patients (99 female and 362 male, aged 3-31 years, mean age 15.2 years) with pectus excavatum were operated with the Nuss technique. All patients were operated-on according to the original operative protocol proposed by Donald Nuss. With growing experience, own modifications were introduced. Insertion of two bars was done in 17.4%, transverse sternotomy in adolescents with rigid anterior chest wall in 7.8%, limited excision of the rib cartilages in 5.9%, and parasternal fixation of the bar to prevent it from rotating in 59.7% of patients. Results: There were no deaths. Intraoperative complications were noted in 19 (4.1%) patients and postoperative ones were observed in 43 (9.3%) patients. The operative time ranged from 25 to 130 min (52 min on average). In 192 (41.6%) patients, an epidural block was used. The hospital stay ranged from 4 to 12 days with the mean of 5.3 days. A redo procedure for the bar rotation was necessary in 13 (2.8%) patients. The support bar has been removed in 260 (56.4%) patients so far. In all the patients, an adequate contour of the anterior chest wall has been maintained. Conclusions: MIRPE proposed by Nuss has all the features of a minimally invasive procedure and is straightforward. Better clinical results are achievable in patients under 12 years of age with a symmetric deformity. In older patients (over 15 years of age) with a rigid chest or with an asymmetric deformity, additional procedures are required to achieve a comprehensive correction of the deformity. Recent results and forward clinical observations may give proof to establish MIRPE as a method of choice in funnel chest correction.

Pectus Excavatum Repair in Adults: Indications and How To Do It

Current Surgery Reports, 2017

Purpose of Review The minimally invasive Nuss procedure has been effectively used for surgical correction of pediatric and adolescent pectus patients. In the past, the use of this less invasive technique was believed to be limited to young patients. This approach with technique modifications has been successfully extended to the treatment of even advanced aged adults. The presentation, evaluation and minimally invasive surgical treatment of adult pectus excavatum patient is reviewed. Recent Findings Adult pectus excavatum patients may present with new onset or worsening of symptoms. Repair of the deformity has been shown to improve cardiopulmonary deficits and quality of life. The increased rigidity of the chest wall in adult patients makes elevating the sternum and supporting the repair with substernal bars more difficult. Technique modification to the original Nuss procedure including the use of forced sternal elevation, multiple support bars and improved bar fixation methods have allowed for successful correction of even advanced age adult pectus excavatum patients. Summary of Findings The modified ''Nuss'' is a safe and effective alternative to open repair of pectus excavatum in adult patients. Repair of the deformity can improve cardiopulmonary function and symptoms.

Twenty-One Years of Experience With Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum by the Nuss Procedure in 1215 Patients

Annals of Surgery, 2010

Objective: To review the technical improvements and changes in management that have occurred over 21 years, which have made the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum safer and more successful. Summary Background Data: In 1997, we reported our 10-year experience with a new minimally invasive technique for surgical correction of pectus excavatum in 42 children. Since then, we have treated an additional 1173 patients, and in this report, we summarize the technical modifications which have made the repair safer and more successful. Methods: From January 1987 to December 2008, we evaluated 2378 pectus excavatum patients. We established criteria for surgical intervention, and patients with a clinically and objectively severe deformity were offered surgical correction. The objective criteria used for surgical correction included computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, resting pulmonary function studies (spirometry and/or plethysmography), and a cardiology evaluation which included echocardiogram and electrocardiogram. Surgery was indicated if the patients were symptomatic, had a severe pectus excavatum on a clinical basis and fulfilled two or more of the following: CT index greater than 3.25, evidence of cardiac or pulmonary compression on CT or echocardiogram, mitral valve prolapse, arrhythmia, or restrictive lung disease. Data regarding evaluation, treatment, and follow up have been prospectively recorded since 1994. Surgical repair was performed in 1215 (51%) of 2378 patients evaluated. Of these, 1123 were primary repairs, and 92 were redo operations. Bars have been removed from 854 patients; 790 after primary repair operations, and 64 after redo operations. Results: The mean Haller CT index was 5.15 ± 2.32 (mean ±SD). Pulmonary function studies performed in 739 patients showed that FVC, FEV 1 , and FEF 25-75 values were decreased by a mean of 15% below predicted value. Mitral valve prolapse was present in 18% (216) of 1215 patients and arrhythmias in 16% (194). Of patients who underwent surgery, 2.8% (35 patients) had genetically confirmed Marfan syndrome and an additional 17.8% (232 patients) had physical features suggestive of Marfan syndrome. Scoliosis was noted in 28% (340). At primary operation, 1 bar was placed in 69% (775 patients), 2 bars in 30% (338), and 3 bars in 0.4% (4). Complications decreased markedly over 21 years. In primary operation patients, the bar displacement rate requiring surgical repositioning decreased from 12% in the first decade to 1% in the second decade. Allergy to nickel was identified in 2.8% (35 patients) of whom 22 identified preoperatively received a titanium bar, 10 patients were treated successfully with prednisone and 3 required bar removal: 2 were switched to a titanium bar, and 1 required no further treatment. Wound

Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum in adults: long-term results in a prospective observational study

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2016

OBJECTIVES: Since the end of the 1990s, the management of pectus excavatum has undergone major changes. The Nuss procedure (pectus bar) has been the method of choice for patients with pectus excavatum at Bern University Hospital for over a decade. The current study will describe our experiences, with a particular focus on long-term results in adults. METHODS: The prospective observational study began in autumn 2002. The Haller index was used to quantify pectus excavatum severity. Pulmonary function tests and cardiac examinations were performed preoperatively, and a standardized management for surgical techniques and for the pre-and postoperative treatments including long-term follow-up at 3, 12 and 36 months after surgery was developed. Quality of life and satisfaction with the cosmetic result after the Nuss procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: Better or much better quality of life after the Nuss procedure was observed: n = 108 (88.4%) at 3 months, n = 97 (89.0%) at 12 months and n = 87 (92.5%) at 36 months. Pain intensity decreased in the follow-up [ pain score visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 months: median 1 (0-7), 12 months: median 1 (0-4), 36 months: median 0.8 (0-5)]. After long-term observation, over 90% of patients described their quality of life after the operation as being better or much better. Satisfaction with the cosmetic results of the operation was also very high, with >90% of patients being satisfied. Only a very small group of patients suffered from pain in the long-term follow-up. Complications were rare (14.7%) and could be treated in most cases without reoperation. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the Nuss procedure is safe and can be performed with excellent results in adults, both in the short term and in the long term. The improved quality of life and patients' satisfaction with cosmetic results remained high in the longterm follow-up, 10 years after the surgical procedure.

Perioperative strategies and technical modifications to the Nuss repair for pectus excavatum in pediatric patients: A large volume, single institution experience

Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2014

Background: The safety and efficacy of minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair have been demonstrated over the last twenty years. However, technical details and perioperative management strategies continue to be debated. The aim of the present study is to review a large single-institution experience with the modified Nuss procedure. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent primary pectus excavatum repair at a single tertiary hospital via a modified Nuss procedure that included: no thoracoscopy, retrosternal dissection achieved via a left-to-right thoracic approach, four-point stabilization of the bar, and no routine epidural analgesia. Data collected included demographics, preoperative symptoms, operative characteristics, hospital charges and postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 336 pediatric patients were identified. No cardiac perforations occurred and the rate of pericarditis was 0.6%. Contemporary rates of bar displacement have fallen to 1.2%. Routine use of chlorhexidine scrub reduced superficial site infections to 0.7%. Two patients (0.6%) with severe recurrence required reoperation. Bars were removed after an average period of 31.7(SD 13.2) months, with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results in 94.9% of cases. Conclusions: We report here a single-institution large volume experience, including modifications to the Nuss procedure that make the technique simpler and safer, improve results, and minimize hospital charges.