[A minimally invasive technique to repair pectus carinatum. Preliminary report]

Abstract

The present report deals with a new technique for the correction of pectus carinatum. Although less frequent than pectus excavatum, this deformity leads to numerous consultations, as it is difficult to conceal and affects the personality and behavior of many young patients. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy with asymmetrical pectus carinatum. The chest wall was compressible, so the protrusion was corrected by means of intrathoracic compression. In this technique, the sternochondral region is compressed by implanting a metal bar in the presternal region and securing it bilaterally to the posterolateral portion of the costal arches. The strut remains implanted until remolding of the chest contour is achieved. In this case, the strut was removed after 1 year and the new chest contour has been maintained unchanged more than 8 months following surgery. In conclusion, this minimally invasive technique for the treatment of pectus carinatum by means of intrathoracic compression appears to be a valid alternative to more invasive techniques and should be considered in appropriate cases.