Separation of the seventh costal-sternal junction−A new technique to improve outcomes for the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum

Abstract

In the standard Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum, the costal arch is often elevated together with the sternum, resulting in unevenness of the lower part of the thorax. This complication is commonly called rib flaring. This paper presents a technique to avoid rib flaring and evaluates its effectiveness. In our technique, a part of the seventh costal cartilage is removed, disconnecting the costal arch from the sternum. The effectiveness of this technique was evaluated in a retrospective clinical study of 63 pectus excavatum patients who were randomly collected and were divided into two groups. One group-defined as the Standard Group-includes 27 patients (29.8±6.5SD y/o) on whom standard Nuss procedure was conducted; the other group-defined as the Separation Group-includes 36 patients (31.8±6.1SD y/o) on whom the cartilage removal was conducted in addition to the standard Nuss procedure. The degree of postoperative costal-arch elevation was defined as ECA (Elevation of Costal Arch) and was compared between the two groups. ECA was significantly greater for the Standard Group (10.2±3.3SD mm) than for the Separation Group (-1.1±3.42SDmm). Postoperative protrusion of the costal arch is prevented by the separation of the seventh costal cartilage from the sternum. Our original technique is a useful option for the treatment of pectus excavatum.