The effect of thoracoscopy upon the repair of pectus excavatum

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Nuss procedure is the most commonly performed operation to correct pectus excavatum (PE). Thoracoscopic assistance has been anecdotally noted to improve the safety of this operative approach. This study aimed to compare complications and clinical outcomes before and after the introduction of thoracoscopy in a single-center. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent the Nuss procedure at The Royal Children's Hospital over an 11-year period (2005-2015), collecting data on all intra-operative and post-operative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 217 Nuss procedures were performed (122 non-thoracoscopic pectus repairs, 95 thoracoscopic pectus rep..