Repair of pectus excavatum using a substernal metal strut within a Marlex envelope.

Abstract

In a retrospective review, 82 children aged 3 to 16 years who had repair of pectus excavatum from 1963 to 1987 were divided into three groups according to type of repair: those without a metal substernal strut, those with a metal substernal strut, and those with a metal substernal strut within a Marlex envelope. In group 1 (n = 50) there were five recurrences; in group 2 (n = 18) and group 3 (n = 14) there were no recurrences. There was migration of the substernal strut in eight patients in group 2 (44%) and three patients in group 3 (21%). There were minor wound infections in groups 1 and 2 only. There were no deaths. Results of this study suggest that the use of a substernal strut significantly reduced recurrence and that the addition of a Marlex envelope around the strut reduced migration of the strut with no associated complications.

• Authors: J C Gilbert, G T Zwiren
• Journal: Southern medical journal (South Med J) Vol. 82 Issue 10 Pg. 1240-4 (Oct 1989) ISSN: 0038-4348 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2678499 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Age Factors
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Evaluation Studies as Topic
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Foreign-Body Migration
• Funnel Chest (surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Methods
• Recurrence
• Retrospective Studies
• Sex Factors
• Stents
• Sternum
• Surgical Mesh
• Suture Techniques
• Time Factors