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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1254143
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Review of the Technical Variants in the Repair of Pectus Excavatum
Publication History
received January 20, 2010
accepted after revision April 05, 2010
Publication Date:
07 June 2010 (online)

Abstract
Introduction: Many technical variations have been introduced for the surgical correction of pectus excavatum (PE). The authors reviewed the literature to provide a detailed overview of the general principles of pectus excavatum repair, bar insertion and removal techniques.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken.
Results: A summary of the different approaches and techniques of pectus excavatum repair, bar insertion and removal is presented. Various procedures, their advantages and disadvantages, the techniques employed and associated complications are discussed in depth.
Conclusion: Pectus excavatum repair has undergone many changes since its first description. Despite previous descriptions of evolving procedures, comparative overviews of surgical variations, outcomes after pectus bar insertion and removal techniques are rare in the literature. The authors reviewed the literature to summarize the previous and current understanding of techniques and highlight the variations.
Key words
pectus excavatum - pectus bar - Nuss - Ravitch - subxiphoid technique
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Correspondence
Dr. Shawn David St. Peter
Children's Mercy Hospital
Department of Surgery
Center for Prospective Trials
2401
Gillham Road
MO 64108 Kansas City
United States
Phone: +1 816 983 6465
Fax: +1 816 983 6885
Email: sspeter@cmh.edu