The 're-do' chest wall deformity correction

Background: A small percentage of patients who undergo surgical correction of a chest wall deformity will have results so unsatisfactory that a second procedure, the so-called ''re-do,'' will be required. Conclusions: The literature contains very little information regarding the technique and results of these procedures. Based on experience with 18 ''re-do'' procedures, the authors believe that recurrent deformities should be surgically corrected, Although this is a somewhat diverse group based on age at the first and second procedure, type of original operative procedure, and interval between the procedures, the operative approach is standard, and the results are predictable. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.