Abstract
Background: There have been numerous reports of techniques used for pectus bar removal after correction of pectus excavatum. We use 2 operating tables positioned perpendicular to each other in a T-shaped configuration with the patients thorax circumferentially exposed so the bar is removed in 1 motion without bending the bar. In this study, we report the results of this procedure. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing bar removal after repair of pectus excavatum at our institution from August 2000 to March 2010 was performed. Results: There were 230 patients with a mean age of 16.7 years (range, 7.8-25.3 years) at bar removal. Mean operative time for bar removal was 28.6 minutes, and average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 9.5 mL (range, 5-400 mL). One patient demonstrated significant hemorrhage from the bar tract after bar removal, which was controlled with circumferential compression wrap. Calcification was noted in 11 patients, and chondroma, in 8 patients. Wound infection after bar removal occurred in 3% of patients. No patient required the bar to be bent into a straight configuration for removal. Conclusions: Removal of pectus bars using this 2-table T-configuration technique is safe, is time efficient, and obviates the need for bending the bar.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 490-493 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatric Surgery |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2012 |
Keywords
- Bar removal
- Nuss repair
- Pectus excavatum
- Technical modification
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health