The The Sandwich Technique For Minimally Invasive Repair Of Pectus Carinatum.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum (MIRPC) has been performed using the Abramson technique in which the bar that compresses the sternum is fixed with steel wires on the ribs. A 14-year-old patient underwent to a MIRPC using a sandwich technique in which two metallic bars fixed with bridges were implanted below the sternum under thoracoscopic vision, and another bar in a subcutaneous tunnel was implanted above. This technique has the potential to avoid specific problems related to the original technique like loosening of support for correction (broken wire), avoidance of induction of pectus excavatum or subcutaneous tissue adhesion.

Pectus Arcuatum: A Pectus Unlike Any Other.

BACKGROUND: Pectus arcuatum is often mistaken for a type of pectus carinatum. However, pectus arcuatum is a unique clinical form of pectus caused by premature obliteration of the sternal sutures (manubrial sternum, four sternebrae and xiphoïd process), whereas pectus carinatum is due to abnormal growth of the costal cartilage. In order to better describe pectus arcuatum, we analysed the files of patients with pectus arcuatum followed in our centers. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study of young patients' files diagnosed with pectus arcuatum. RESULTS: The clinical diagnosis of pectus arcuatum was made in 34 patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 10.3 years (4-23 years). A chest profile X-ray or a CT scan was performed in 16 patients (47%) and confirmed the diagnosis of PA by the presence of a sternal fusion. It was complete in 12 patients. A malformation was associated in 35% of cases (Noonan syndrome 33%, scoliosis 25% or cardiopathy 16%). 11 patients (32%) had a family history of skeletal malformation. Orthopedic treatment was initiated in 3 patients without any success. 11 patients underwent surgical correction, which was completed in 7 of them. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of pectus arcuatum is based on clinical experience and if necessary, on a profile chest X-ray showing the fusion of the sternal pieces. It implies the search for any associated malformations (musculoskeletal, cardiac, syndromic). Bracing treatment is useless for pectus arcuatum. Corrective surgery, based on a sternotomy associated with a partial chondro-costal resection, can be performed at the end of growth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Analysis of Psychological Assessments Affecting Patients Undergoing Treatment for Chest Wall Deformities.

AIM: This study aimed to review the literature with regard to the psychological aspects in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC). METHODS: The literature was reviewed by analyzing articles on PubMed using the search terms "psychology" and "pectus." RESULTS: The literature search revealed 22 articles that offered a total of 2214 patients for analysis. Regarding chest wall deformities (CWD), there were 15 articles referring to PE, 4 articles on PC, and 3 pertaining to both PE and PC. Authors used various types of questionnaires and 14 studies which also included a parent questionnaire. There are 14 reports which analyzed both the preoperative and postoperative psychological status and 4 reports in which a control group was used. Treatment of CWD was shown to have consistently positive results. There is no consensus regarding the correlation between severity of CWD and psychological issues. Only 2 studies found no statistically significant results after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The literature reveals a great concern for psychosocial issues in CWD patients. Most articles describe improvement in overall quality of life (QOL) after surgery. An increase in social and physical function, body image, and self-esteem was observed in CWD patients, which is supported by parent responses.

Changes in self-image after pectus carinatum brace treatment.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Pectus carinatum (PC) is a chest wall deformity resulting in anterior protrusion of the chest. PC does not typically result in significant physical or cardiopulmonary symptoms, but patients with this condition can experience a disturbed body image, lower self-esteem and reduced quality of life.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-image and non-surgical correction of PC using a brace. METHODS: This study was a descriptive, pre-post survey design. The sample included children ages 11 to <18 years undergoing PC treatment with the dynamic compressor system. Subjects completed the modified Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire (mPEEQ) at the onset of bracing and again once PC correction was completed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven subjects were enrolled at the time of bracing, and 41 achieved correction and took the second survey. The mean age was 14 years and 80% were male. There was a statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement in body self-image between the first and second surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical correction of PC with the dynamic compressor system resulted in an improvement in the self-image of children. PROGNOSIS STUDY: Level of Evidence II.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum by the Abramson method: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the outcomes after minimally invasive pectus cartinatum repair (MIRPC) by the Abramson method to determine its effectiveness. METHODS: The PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched. Data concerning subjective postoperative esthetic outcomes after initial surgery and bar removal were extracted. In addition, data on recurrence, complications, operative times, blood loss, post-operative pain, length of hospital stay, planned time to bar removal and reasons for early bar removal were extracted. The postoperative esthetic result, was selected as primary outcome since the primary indication for repair in pectus carinatum is of cosmetic nature. RESULTS: Six cohort studies were included based on eligibility criteria, enrolling a total of 396 patients. Qualitative synthesis showed excellent to satisfactory esthetic results in nearly all patients after correctional bar placement (99.5%, n = 183/184). A high satisfaction rate of 91.0% (n = 190/209) was found in patients after bar removal. Recurrence rates were low with an incidence of 3.0% (n = 5/168). The cumulative postoperative complication rate was 26.5% (n = 105/396), of whom 25% required surgical re-intervention. There were no cases of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum through the Abramson method is effective and safe. Its efficacy is demonstrated by the excellent to satisfactory esthetic results in 99.5% and 91.0% of patients after respectively correctional bar placement and implant removal. Future studies should aim to compare different treatment options for pectus carinatum in order to elucidate the approach of choice for different patient groups.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum using the Abramson technique.

In the past, the treatment of pectus carinatum has been managed by open, invasive surgical procedures, which involved the resection of cartilage growth plates (Ravitch procedure). By preventing normal bony growth and maturity, this technique often led to postoperative complications, such as acquired thoracic dystrophy, chronic pain and scarring, and stiffness of the whole anterior chest. Dyspnea and exercise intolerance due to restricted thoracic space and cardiac compression were not uncommon as well. Over the last 2 decades, nonsurgical and minimally invasive approaches have gained ground because it was recognized that simple sternal compression was able to remodel the elastic anterior chest wall and therefore correct pectus carinatum adequately/efficiently, at least in children. However, failure of this compressive brace treatment is not uncommon in adolescents and older patients. Abramson therefore developed a minimally invasive technique for the correction of pectus carinatum using a pectus bar that is placed anteriorly to the sternum. The procedure is less invasive and less risky than a pectus bar inserted for pectus excavatum, but the lateral fixation of the pectus bar in the Abramson procedure remains a challenge. We demonstrate the technical aspects of the procedure step by step including our solution for fixation of the stabilizers.

A new minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus carinatum.

BACKGROUND: The Abramson technique for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC) is commonly performed worldwide. However, the postoperative complications of this technique related to bar fixation, including wire breakage and bar displacement, are relatively high. In this study, a new minimally invasive technique for correction of PC is described, in which the pectus bar is secured by bilateral selected ribs, and for which no special fixation to the rib is needed. METHODS: The procedure was performed by placing the pectus bar subcutaneously over the sternum with both ends of the bar passing through the intercostal space of the selected rib at the anterior axillary line. The protruding sternum was depressed by the bar positioned in this 2 intra- and 2 extra-thorax manners. Between October 2011 and September 2019, 42 patients with PC underwent this procedure. RESULTS: Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all the patients. The mean operation time was 87.14 min, and the mean postoperative stay was 4.05 days. Wound infection occurred in 3 patients, 2 were cured by antibiotics, and 1 received bar removal 4 months after the initial operation due to the exposure of the implant resulting from uncontrolled infection. Mild pneumothorax was found in 3 patients and cured by conservative treatment. One patient suffered from hydropneumothorax, which was treated with chest drainage. The bars were removed at a mean duration of 24.4 months since primary repair in 20 patients without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique for minimally invasive correction of PC deformity is a safe and feasible procedure yielding good results and minimal complications.

Orthotic Bracing or Minimally Invasive Surgery? A Summary of 767 Pectus Carinatum Cases for 9 Years.

Orthotic bracing and minimally invasive surgery are currently the treatment methods for pectus carinatum. We present our experience with the advantages, method selection criteria, and precautions for both treatment methods. A total of 767 pediatric patients (596 boys and 171 girls) with pectus carinatum were retrospectively analyzed. All of them received orthotic bracing, and 108 pediatric patients received minimally invasive surgery, achieving good outcomes. Among the 767 pediatric patients, 644 obtained satisfactory chest appearance through orthotic bracing, with a success rate of 84.0%. Younger pediatric patients had better orthotic outcomes. Among the 123 failure cases, 108 pediatric patients underwent minimally invasive surgery as the treatment. Seventy-six pediatric patients with simple chondrogladiolar prominence underwent a minimally invasive sternal depression procedure, whereas 32 pediatric patients with complex chondromanubrial prominence underwent surgery. All 108 pediatric patients successfully completed the surgery. The operation time was 112.8 ± 23.5 min, and the average length of hospital stay after the surgery was 7 days. A follow-up was conducted for at least 3 months and up to 3 years. The orthotic effect was satisfactory. For younger pediatric patients with pectus carinatum, noninvasive orthotic bracing treatment should be considered first. For older pediatric patients, the failure rate of the bracing was higher, and the outcomes were often unsatisfactory. Especially for patients over 15 years old, minimally invasive sternal depression may be the preferred treatment for pectus carinatum.

Ten-year experience with staged management of pectus carinatum: Results and lessons learned.

INTRODUCTION: We report pectus carinatum management over a 10+year period. METHODS: Staged management, with initial bracing and operation for failure or special circumstances, was employed. A newer brace and a minimally invasive operation for PC (the Abramson procedure) were introduced during the study period. RESULTS: Of 695 consenting patients from 2008 to 2018, 265 (38%) were observed. Of 430 treated, 339 (79%) had bracing only; 65 (15%) underwent surgery without a trial of bracing, while 26(5%) underwent surgery after a failed attempt at bracing. Of 364 bracing patients, 144 (40%) were successful, 77 (21%) are ongoing, 25 (7%) failed, and 118 (32%) dropped out. Recurrence was noted in 17 (5%), an average 5.4 months later. Two (0.4%) overcorrected to pectus excavatum (PE). Successful patients experienced a 50% decrease in pressure of correction (POC) beginning one month after starting treatment. Brace failure patients did not. Reported compliance with brace utilization (hours/day) was similar. Surgery was required in 91 patients. Open operations were performed in 61 (67%), Abramson operations in 23 (25%), and Nuss procedure in 7 (8%) who developed excavatum over correction following bracing or who had mixed deformity, with excavatum one side of the sternum and carinatum on the other. Twenty-four (36%) of the surgeries for PC occurred after an attempt at bracing. All obtained good initial results by operation. No recurrence was noted after open operation and 3 (13%) after Abramson. Open complications included 1 (2%) infection. Abramson's operation required 11 (48%) revisions, 6 (26%) early bar removals, and had 3 (13%) infections. CONCLUSION: Brace treatment for PC can be guided by pressure of correction, which fell by more than half in successfully treated patients. POC did not fall in patients who failed. If POC does not fall, surgery should be considered. Open repair of Pectus Carinatum is generally successful, while the Abramson operation has a significant rate of complications with the implants currently available in the U.S. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III - Retrospective comparative study.

Use of cryoanalgesia as a postoperative pain management for open pectus carinatum repair.

PURPOSE: Cryoanalgesia has shown to have safety and efficacy as an adjunct post-operative pain management for Nuss procedure. One retrospective study reported its efficacy for analgesia with the Ravitch procedure, with improved pain scores and decreased length of stay versus thoracic epidural. We describe our initial experience with the use of cryoanalgesia for an open repair of pectus carinatum. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who received cryoanalgesia during an open repair of pectus carinatum from 2016 to 2019 at our institution. We recorded pain scores at immediate post-operative and at 1-week follow up after hospital discharge. Length of stay and mean follow up time were also recorded. RESULTS: Five pediatric patients underwent open repair of pectus carinatum with cryoanalgesia. The median postoperative length of stay (LOS) was 1 (range 1-2) day. Only one patient reported a non-zero pain score during their hospitalization, and this was a 3 out of 10 in the post-analgesia care unit. At 1-week postoperative visit, all patients had a pain score of 0. Median follow up was 1 (0.5-2) year. No patients developed neuralgia. CONCLUSION: Cryoanalgesia is a safe and effective pain management strategy for pediatric patients undergoing open pectus carinatum repair.

Impact of surgical treatment of pectus carinatum on cardiopulmonary function: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The frequency of sternochondroplasty in cases of pectus carinatum (PC) has increased due to greater surgeon experience and modified surgical techniques. PC deformity does not usually cause cardiopulmonary malfunction or impairment. However, whether cardiopulmonary function changes after surgical repair remains a matter of controversy. The aim of our prospective study was to determine if surgery changes preoperative cardiopulmonary function. METHODS: Nineteen patients (16 males, 3 females) were enrolled in a prospective, open-label, single-arm, single-centre clinical trial (Impact of Surgical Treatments of Thoracic Deformation on Cardiopulmonary Function) (NCT02163265) between July 2013 and January 2017. All patients underwent PC repair via a modified Ravitch procedure and wore a lightweight, patient-controlled chest brace for 8 weeks postoperatively (the Innsbruck protocol). The average follow-up surgical examination was 8.3 months after surgery. In all enrolled patients, before surgery and not before 6 months postoperatively chest X-ray, 3-dimensional volume-rendered computed tomography thorax imaging, cardiopulmonary function tests with stepwise cycle spiroergometry (sitting and supine position) and Doppler echocardiography were performed; questionnaires about daily physical activity were also completed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (aged 16.3 ± 2.6 years at study entry) completed the study. Changes in submaximal and peak power output were not detected during sitting, or when in the supine position. Also, no clinically relevant postoperative changes in spirometry or echocardiography were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that surgical correction of PC does not impair cardiopulmonary function at rest or during physical exercise. CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02163265.

Surgical correction of pectus carinatum.

Pectus carinatum is a common chest wall anomaly. It occurs five times more frequently in males than females and can be present at birth, although it usually progresses during adolescence. The correction of chest wall anomalies offers patients significant improvements in quality of life and it should never be regarded as an entirely cosmetic issue.  Most patients with pectus carinatum can be corrected with a brace. When bracing is not an option, good results can be obtained by surgery using the Ravitch method. In this method a midline incision is made over the sternum and costal cartilage is resected. In some patients the sternum protrudes and an osteotomy is necessary for optimal correction.

Repair of pectus carinatum, carinatum/excavatum complex patients with doubly double bar technique.

Surgical correction is needed for patients with pectus carinatum who do not adapt to bracing therapy. We performed the doubly double bar technique for ten patients who did not adapt to bracing therapy for patients with pectus carinatum and/or carinatum/excavatum complex type. A complete correction was achieved for all patients, and there were no complications. Our initial experience suggests that the doubly double bar technique can be performed effectively for pectus carinatum and/or carinatum/excavatum complex type patients.

Which Is More Effective for Minimally Invasive Pectus Repair: Epidural or Paravertebral Block?

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of epidural block (EDB) and paravertebral block (PVB) for minimally invasive pectus repair with the conventional method in terms of pain control during and after pectus operations, patient comfort, and length of stay in hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was made of patients who underwent minimally invasive pectus repair. The patients were allocated into three groups as follows: PVB group (Pre-emptive ultrasound-guided bilateral thoracic single injection PVB, n = 15); EDB group (Pre-emptive landmark-guided single injection thoracic EDB, n = 8); and Control group (Neither PVB nor EPB, n = 9). The intraoperative analgesic requirement was recorded, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain evaluation and the Postoperative Patient Satisfaction Scale were applied to all patients. Results: The intraoperative analgesic requirement, VAS scores, postoperative satisfaction level, and time to first requirement for postoperative analgesia were different between the control and PVB groups (P < .001) and between the control and EDB groups (P < .001), but not different between the PVB and EDB groups. Although the length of stay in hospital was shorter in the PVB and EDB groups compared to the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .422). Conclusion: Epidural and bilateral paravertebral blockades performed in conjunction with general anesthesia decrease the intraoperative and postoperative need for analgesics, and might be beneficial for pain management and contribute to a shorter length of hospital stay for patients undergoing minimally invasive pectus repair operations. Both blockades also significantly improved the patient satisfaction.

An Evidence-Based Approach to Management of Pectus Excavatum and Carinatum.

Pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) are the most common congenital chest wall anomalies. Current research suggests that PE and PC may result from overgrowth of the sternocostal cartilages. This can produce a deformation that displaces the sternum inward as in PE or outward as in PC. The etiology, clinical presentation, evaluation, and management of PE and PC are reviewed. Varied clinical presentations, cardiopulmonary effects, and psychosocial aspects are described.

Customized Cutting Template to Assist Sternotomy in Pectus Arcuatum.

PURPOSE: Pectus arcuatum is an anterior chest wall deformity that requires transverse wedge sternotomy. Determining and delivering the correct cutting angle are crucial for successful correction. This report describes the early clinical experience with a novel cutting template technology able to deliver the optimal cutting angle. DESCRIPTION: From patients' computed tomographic scans, the optimal cutting angle is obtained using computer-aided design. A template comprising slots tilted at the right cutting angle and a safety block to avoid damaging the posterior periosteum is printed through additive manufacturing. EVALUATION: The template allows surgeons to perform a precise wedge sternotomy, safely sparing the posterior periosteum in all patients, without complications. Postoperative chest roentgenograms and clinical photographs demonstrate optimal sternal realignment and cosmetic outcome. In this report, the mean operative time was 110 minutes. All patients were successfully discharged, with a mean length of stay of 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Transverse wedge sternotomy aided by a computer-aided design-devised cutting template may reduce the technical challenge of this procedure, thereby increasing its safety and reducing operative times and hospital stay. Further research on long-term patient outcomes is necessary.

Bloqueo bilateral del plano del músculo erector de la columna espinal para cirugía de pectus excavatum y pectus carinatum en 2 pacientes pediátricos / Bilateral single shot erector spinae plane block for pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum surgery in 2 pediatric patients

Recientemente han surgido numerosas publicaciones sobre la aplicación del bloqueo del plano del músculo erector de la columna espinal en población adulta. Existen escasos reportes del uso de este bloqueo en cirugía pediátrica. Nuestro objetivo es reportar 2 casos de adolescentes, uno con diagnóstico de pectus excavatum y otro de pectus carinatum, sometidos a cirugía reconstructiva esternal a los que se realizó bloqueo del plano del músculo erector de la columna espinal bilateral en inyección única como técnica analgésica. El bloqueo se realizó antes de la cirugía con los pacientes sometidos a anestesia general en posición de decúbito lateral, guiado por ecografía utilizando 20ml de bupivacaína al 0,25% por lado. Luego de la cirugía fueron extubados y trasladados a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Durante su hospitalización los valores de la escala visual análoga fueron menores de 4 y no fue requerido el uso de opioides de larga duración durante el intraoperatorio ni el postoperatorio de los pacientes. El bloqueo del plano del músculo erector de la columna espinal bilateral en inyección única fue efectivo como técnica analgésica para el intra y el postoperatorio en cirugía de pectus excavatum y pectus carinatum en población adolescente

Numerous publications have emerged on the application of erector spinae plane block in adult population. There are few reports of the use of this block in pediatric patients. The objective is to report 2 cases of adolescents, one diagnosed with pectus excavatum and the other one with pectus carinatum undergoing reconstructive surgery in which a bilateral single-shot erector spinae plane block was performed as an analgesic technique. The block was performed before surgery under general anesthesia in lateral decubitus position, guided by ultrasound using 20ml of 0.25% bupivacaine per side. After the surgery they were extubated and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. During their postoperative period they had visual analogic scale values less than 4 and no long term narcotics were used during the intraoperative and postoperative period. Bilateral single shot erector spinae plane block was effective as an analgesic technique for the intraoperative and postoperative period in pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum surgery in adolescents

Combined extra-/intrathoracic correction of pectus carinatum and other asymmetric chest wall deformities : A novel technique.

OBJECTIVE: Description of a novel technique to surgically correct (asymmetric) pectus carinatum and other chest deformities using a metal bar without fixation to the ribs. INDICATIONS: Severe thoracic deformity, extensive psychological strain, social isolation, pain and respiratory complaints. Pseudarthrosis or insufficient correction of a thoracic deformity after prior surgery. Distinctive deformities. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Acute infections. Postoperative intrathoracic scaring in revision cases can be challenging. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: One-lung ventilation is used. Through two 3-4 cm long bilateral incisions to the thorax, an introducer is guided into the thorax under thoracoscopic supervision and then guided through an intercostal space out of the thorax again. A 1 cm presternal incision is performed and nylon threads are attached to the introducer bilaterally. Then the preshaped metal bar can be placed following the nylon threads. Once the metal bar is placed, the deformity is instantly corrected. Bilateral stabilizers are fixed with wire cerclage. Fixation on the ribs is not necessary. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Postoperative thorax x­ray. Intensive ventilation exercises. Implant removal after 2-3 years. RESULTS: The technique was used in 10 primary pectus carinatum or combined pectus carinatum and excavatum deformities as well as in 6 revision cases (3 female, 13 male, age 13-32 years). Follow-up ranged from 3-15 months postoperatively. Cosmetic results were excellent. Revision surgery required in 2 patients (one rib fracture and one local implant irritation).