The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 2024
Complication Rates Rise with Age and Haller Index in Minimal Invasive Correction of Pectus Excavatum: A High-volume Single-centre Retrospective Cohort Study.
The study objectives were to describe the compounded complication rate of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, identify predisposing risk factors, and evaluate the optimal timing of correction. Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is the standard treatment for pectus excavatum and consists of 2 invasive procedures, for example, correction with bar insertion followed by bar removal after 2 to 3 years. ⋯ Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is associated with a high compounded complication rate that increases exponentially with age and high Haller Index. Consequently, we recommend repair during late childhood and early adolescence, and emphasize the importance of informing patients and relatives about the significant risks of adult correction as well as the need of 2 consecutive procedures taking the complication profile into account before planning surgery.