Repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities in 116 adults

Objective To determine the feasibility of surgically correcting pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities in adult patients. Summary Background Data Although pectus chest deformities are common, many patients progress to adulthood without surgical repair and experience increasing symptoms. There are sparse published data regarding repair of pectus deformities in adults. Methods Since 1987, 116 patients over the age of 18 years with pectus excavatum (n = 104) or carinatum (n = 12) deformities underwent correction using a highly modified Ravitch repair, with a temporary internal support bar. The ages ranged from 19 to 53 years (mean 30.1). Eighty-six patients sought repair after reviewing information regarding pectus deformities available on the Internet. Each patient experienced dyspnea with mild exertion and decreased endurance; 84 had chest pain with activity; 75 had palpitations and/or tachycardia. Seven patients underwent repair for symptomatic recurrent deformities. The mean severity score (chest width divided by distance from sternum to spine) was 4.8. The sternal bar was removed from 101 patients 6 months after the repair without complications. Results Each of the patients with reduced endurance or dyspnea with mild exercise experienced marked improvement within 6 months. Chest discomfort was reduced in 82 of the 84 patients. Complications included pleural effusion (n = 7), pneumothorax (n = 2), pericarditis (n = 2), dislodged sternal bar (n = 3), and mildly hypertrophic scar (n = 12). Mean hospitalization was' 2.9 days; mean blood loss was 122 mL. Pain was mild and of short duration (intravenous analgesics were used a mean of 2.1 days). There were no deaths. With a mean follow-up of 4.3 years, 109 of 113 respondents had a very good or excellent result. Conclusions Although technically more difficult than in children, pectus deformities may be repaired in adults with low morbidity, short hospital stay, and very good physiologic and cosmetic results.