Abstract:
Introduction: Pectus Excavatum (PE) is a deformity of the anterior chest wall, in which the
sternum and rib cartilage presents an abnormal development. In these cases, the anterior thoracic wall
presents a concave shape depression. Surgical treatment of this condition is a great need for patients,
because symptoms are often severe and affect the quality of life of these patients. Objective: Present
study aims to objectify early and late postoperative complications after it was performed
sternochondroplasty with metal blade retainers located retrosternal.
Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study over a period of 20
years (1.10.1995-1.10.2015). In this regard I used casuistry of Surgical Clinic no. 1 of SCJU Mures. We
introduced in the study 68 patients (41 male, 27 female) diagnosed with PE, on whom we practiced
sternochondroplasty with metal blade retainers located retrosternal.
Results: Mean age of the patients in the study was 17.4 years, with a range between 8 and 20
years. Most common symptoms on this patients were recorded: palpitations (n=23), exertional dyspnea
(n=15), cough (n=15), chest pain (n=22) and dysphagia (n=2). Also 29 patients at clinical examination
presented deformations of the spine (12 patients – kyphosis; 17 patients- scoliosis). The degree of
deformation was evaluated by measuring the angle formed by the body of the sternum and the
manubrium towards the spine. Thereby, we obtained the following results: 42 patients had an angle of
10 to 15 degrees; 20 patients had an angle of 15 to 20 degrees and 11 patients with an angle greater than
20 degrees. Of the total number of operated patients, 11 had immediate postoperative complications, as
follows: 3 hematoma patients, 4 patients with bilateral pneumothorax, 3 with unilateral pneumotorax
and one patient experienced hemorrhage at cartilage section. Late complications were represented by 2 cases of thoracic deformity recurrence and 4 cases of patients with keloid scars. In the study group we
observed that early complication rate was 16%, while the late complications rate was 9%.
Conclusions: Surgery is the only treatment able to lead to improvements of symptoms in patients
with PE. Sternochondroplasty with metal blade disposed retrosternal represents a viable surgical method
of treatment of these parietal chest defects.
Description:
State Medical and Pharmaceutical University Targu Mures, Romania, The 6th International Medical Congress for Students and Young Doctors, May 12-14, 2016