Modified Nuss surgery under thoracoscope in treatment of pectus excavatum in adolescents: a clinical study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the short-term effect and experiences of modified Nuss surgery for treating adolescents with pectus excavatum under thoracoscope. Methods Eleven adolescents with pectus excavatum were treated with modified Nuss surgery. The operation time, blood loss, complication rate and hospitalization time were recorded. Surgical effect was evaluated according to the Cruitoru method. Results All of patients successfully completed the operation. The average operation time was sixty-nine min., mean hospitalization time was eight days, and intraoperative blood loss was ten mL. The patients were followed up after surgery from one to three years. Poor healing of the right incision occurred in one patient, and the infection of the right incision delayed to heal in one patient. No other complications occurred. The recovery of nine patients were all excellent, and two patients were good, the excellent and good rate of all patients was 100%. Conclusion Modified Nuss surgery under thoracoscope is suitable for the treatment of adolescents with pectus excavatum, which has the advantages of smaller trauma, short operation time, less bleeding, short hospitalization time, good operation effect and low cost. It is in line with the new concept of minimally invasive, aesthetic and quick recovery in modern surgery, which is worthy of promotion and application. Key words: Pectus excavatum; Nuss surgery; Thoracoscope; Older adolescents