Pectus excavatum: repair with Nuss technique. A series of 10 cases

In 1997 Donald Nuss and cols published their experience in the Minimally Invasive Repair for Pectus Excavatum (MIRPE). This procedure, based on the physical properties of the thoracic cage and the observation upon the open procedure changed radically the treatment and has been rapidly adopted by surgeons all around the world. Objective. This study evaluates the results of the MIRPE in the Clinica Infantil Colsubsidio. Materials and methods. We carried out a case series of patients treated with the Nuss procedure between December 2004 and July 2008. Information was gathered from medical records, considering personal and familiar past medical history, laboratory and radiologic tests. Results of the procedure were evaluated, including duration of the procedure, early and late onset complications and analgesic use. Results. 10 patients between 13 and 17 years were included, 90 percent were men. The cosmetic result was satisfactory in all cases. The most frequent complications were pneumothorax and dislodgement of the bar; We did not find any case of infection, allergy, pleural effusion, pericarditis or hemothorax. Conclusions. This descriptive study allows us to compare our early experience with the worldwide reports, finding that it is a safe and reproducible technique, with good results in most patients; It also has a more prompt functional recovery and satisfactory esthetic result.Complications in our series were similar to the reported in the literature.