Skip to main content

Thoracoscopic Treatment of Pectus Excavatum: The Nuss Procedure

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The SAGES Manual of Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery

Abstract

Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity affecting up to 1 % of the population. Traditional management required an open procedure that included an anterior chest incision, resection of the affected cartilages, and sternal osteotomy. In 1997, Donald Nuss proposed a minimally invasive approach that utilized small, laterally oriented incisions and placement of a rigid bar to push the sternum up into the appropriate position. Over time this support allows the chest wall to remodel resulting in reversal of the defect, all without cartilage resection or osteotomy. Since its inception, it has experienced widespread application in many centers worldwide with good results. In this chapter we present the workup, selection of patients, and procedure for the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. There is extensive literature on many aspects of this condition and procedure. The emphasis of this chapter is to present the technical logistics of the minimally invasive approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Williams AM, Crabbe DC. Pectus deformities of the anterior chest wall. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2003;4(3):237–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Adzick NS, Coran AG. Pediatric surgery. Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby; 2012. Available from: http://VB3LK7EB4T.search.serialssolutions.com/?V=1.0&L=VB3LK7EB4T&S=JCs&C=TC0000629769&T=marc.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Westphal FL, Lima LC, Lima Neto JC, Chaves AR, Santos Junior VL, Ferreira BL. Prevalence of pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum in students in the city of Manaus, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(3):221–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Chung CS, Myrianthopoulos NC. Factors affecting risks of congenital malformations. I. Analysis of epidemiologic factors in congenital malformations. Report from the Collaborative Perinatal Project. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser. 1975;11(10):1–22.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kelly Jr RE, Shamberger RC, Mellins RB, Mitchell KK, Lawson ML, Oldham K, et al. Prospective multicenter study of surgical correction of pectus excavatum: design, perioperative complications, pain, and baseline pulmonary function facilitated by internet-based data collection. J Am Coll Surg. 2007;205(2):205–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Creswick HA, Stacey MW, Kelly Jr RE, Gustin T, Nuss D, Harvey H, et al. Family study of the inheritance of pectus excavatum. J Pediatr Surg. 2006;41(10):1699–703.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Shamberger RC, Welch KJ. Surgical repair of pectus excavatum. J Pediatr Surg. 1988;23(7):615–22.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Tocchioni F, Ghionzoli M, Messineo A, Romagnoli P. Pectus excavatum and heritable disorders of the connective tissue. Pediatr Rep. 2013;5(3), e15.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Fokin AA, Steuerwald NM, Ahrens WA, Allen KE. Anatomical, histologic, and genetic characteristics of congenital chest wall deformities. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009;21(1):44–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Sweet RH. Pectus excavatum: report of two cases successfully operated upon. Ann Surg. 1944;119(6):922–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Brodkin HA. Congenital anterior chest wall deformities of diaphragmatic origin. Dis Chest. 1953;24(3):259–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Chin EF. Surgery of funnel chest and congenital sternal prominence. Br J Surg. 1957;44(186):360–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Nakaoka T, Uemura S, Yano T, Nakagawa Y, Tanimoto T, Suehiro S. Does overgrowth of costal cartilage cause pectus excavatum? A study on the lengths of ribs and costal cartilages in asymmetric patients. J Pediatr Surg. 2009;44(7):1333–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Feng J, Hu T, Liu W, Zhang S, Tang Y, Chen R, et al. The biomechanical, morphologic, and histochemical properties of the costal cartilages in children with pectus excavatum. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36(12):1770–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Shah B, Cohee A, Deyerle A, Kelly CS, Frantz F, Kelly RE, et al. High rates of metal allergy amongst Nuss procedure patients dictate broader pre-operative testing. J Pediatr Surg. 2014;49(3):451–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Haller Jr JA, Kramer SS, Lietman SA. Use of CT scans in selection of patients for pectus excavatum surgery: a preliminary report. J Pediatr Surg. 1987;22(10):904–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Frantz FW. Indications and guidelines for pectus excavatum repair. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2011;23(4):486–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hebra A. Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009;21(1):76–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Nuss D, Kelly Jr RE. Indications and technique of Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. Thorac Surg Clin. 2010;20(4):583–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Nuss D, Kelly Jr RE. Minimally invasive surgical correction of chest wall deformities in children (Nuss procedure). Adv Pediatr. 2008;55:395–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kelly Jr RE. Pectus excavatum: historical background, clinical picture, preoperative evaluation and criteria for operation. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2008;17(3):181–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kelly RE, Goretsky MJ, Obermeyer R, Kuhn MA, Redlinger R, Haney TS, et al. Twenty-one years of experience with minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum by the Nuss procedure in 1215 patients. Ann Surg. 2010;252(6):1072–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Johnson WR, Fedor D, Singhal S. Systematic review of surgical treatment techniques for adult and pediatric patients with pectus excavatum. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2014;9:25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Rushing GD, Goretsky MJ, Gustin T, Morales M, Kelly Jr RE, Nuss D. When it is not an infection: metal allergy after the Nuss procedure for repair of pectus excavatum. J Pediatr Surg. 2007;42(1):93–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Haecker FM, Sesia SB. Intraoperative use of the vacuum bell for elevating the sternum during the Nuss procedure. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2012;22(9):934–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Jaroszewski DE, Johnson K, McMahon L, Notrica D. Sternal elevation before passing bars: a technique for improving visualization and facilitating minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair in adult patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014;147(3):1093–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Rygl M, Vyhnanek M, Kucera A, Mixa V, Kyncl M, Snajdauf J. Technical innovation in minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. Pediatr Surg Int. 2014;30(1):113–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hebra A, Gauderer MW, Tagge EP, Adamson WT, Othersen Jr HB. A simple technique for preventing bar displacement with the Nuss repair of pectus excavatum. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36(8):1266–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Noguchi M, Kondoh S, Fujita K. A simple and safe technique for manipulation of retrosternal dissection in the nuss procedure. Eplasty. 2014;14, e8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Nuss D, Kelly Jr RE, Croitoru DP, Katz ME. A 10-year review of a minimally invasive technique for the correction of pectus excavatum. J Pediatr Surg. 1998;33(4):545–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Croitoru DP, Kelly Jr RE, Goretsky MJ, Lawson ML, Swoveland B, Nuss D. Experience and modification update for the minimally invasive Nuss technique for pectus excavatum repair in 303 patients. J Pediatr Surg. 2002;37(3):437–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sacco Casamassima MG, Goldstein SD, Salazar JH, McIltrot KH, Abdullah F, Colombani PM. Perioperative strategies and technical modifications to the Nuss repair for pectus excavatum in pediatric patients: a large volume, single institution experience. J Pediatr Surg. 2014;49(4):575–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lawson ML, Mellins RB, Tabangin M, Kelly Jr RE, Croitoru DP, Goretsky MJ, et al. Impact of pectus excavatum on pulmonary function before and after repair with the Nuss procedure. J Pediatr Surg. 2005;40(1):174–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Barrett P. Cromeens or Michael J. Goretsky .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cromeens, B.P., Goretsky, M.J. (2017). Thoracoscopic Treatment of Pectus Excavatum: The Nuss Procedure. In: Walsh, D., Ponsky, T., Bruns, N. (eds) The SAGES Manual of Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43642-5_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43642-5_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43640-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43642-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics