Indications for surgical treatment of funnel chest by chest radiograph

Complication rates rise with age and Haller index in minimally invasive correction of pectus excavatum: A high-volume, single-center retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The study objectives were to describe the compounded complication rate of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, identify predisposing risk factors, and evaluate the optimal timing of correction. Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is the standard treatment for pectus excavatum and consists of 2 invasive procedures, for example, correction with bar insertion followed by bar removal after 2 to 3 years.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study identifying children, adolescents, and adults of both genders corrected for pectus excavatum with minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum between 2001 and 2022. Information on complications related to bar insertion and removal procedures for each individual patient was compiled into a compounded complication rate. Complication severities were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

A total of 2013 patients were corrected by minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum with a median age (interquartile range) for correction of 16.6 (5) years. Overall compounded complication rate occurred at a frequency of 16.4%, of which 9.3% required invasive reinterventions (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥IIIa). The complication rate related to bar insertion was 2.6-fold higher compared with bar removal (11.8% vs 4.5%, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; P < .001), precorrection Haller Index (adjusted odds ratio, 1.10; P < .033), and early-phase institutional experience (adjusted odds ratio, 1.59; P < .002) as independent predisposing risk factors. The optimal age of correction was 12 years, and the compounded complication rate correlated exponentially with age with a doubling time of 7.2 years. Complications increased 2.2-fold when the Haller index increased to 5 or more units.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is associated with a high compounded complication rate that increases exponentially with age and high Haller Index. Consequently, we recommend repair during late childhood and early adolescence, and emphasize the importance of informing patients and relatives about the significant risks of adult correction as well as the need of 2 consecutive procedures taking the complication profile into account before planning surgery.

Computed tomographic evaluation of pectus excavatum in 14 cats

Pectus excavatum (PE) is one of the most frequently reported chest deformities. However, limited studies are available with regard to its CT scan findings in cats. In the present research computed tomographic images of the thoraxes of 14 cats diagnosed with PE has been reviewed. This is one of the first studies exploring the use of CT to characterise PE in animals. The aim of this study was to present characteristic CT features of PE in cats. The introduction of new criteria for better assessing thoracic wall deformity–a correction index (CI) and an asymmetry index (AI)–was also proposed. The study revealed a high variety of morphological features of PE in cats. It was demonstrated that among the 14 cats: cranial PE (an atypical location) occurred in seven cats while seven cats had typical (caudal) PE, long PE occurred in five cats, while short PE had nine cats. Of the 14 cats included in the study eight showed symmetric PE, and asymmetric PE was found insix. Thoracic asymmetry was found in six cats. Six cats had sternal torsion. Based on the Vertebral Index moderate or severe PE was revealed in 11 animals. In the group of cats studied the CI ranged from 12.20 to 32.11. The magnitude of AI did not exceed 10% in any of the cats studied. The study confirmed statistically significant differences in the CI values between groups of cats with different degrees of PE severity (p = 0.02). CT examination showed many PE features that have not been discussed so far. The main benefit of CT examination is its ability to reveal asymmetric PE, thoracic asymmetry and sternal torsion. CI and AI provided a clinically useful tool to quantify thoracic wall deformity in order to obtain comparable results between cats with PE.

Radiologic factors related to double-bar insertion in minimal invasive repair of pectus excavatum

BACKGROUND

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital chest wall deformity, with a high incidence in live births. This study aimed to evaluate the measured factors on CT images related to the number of pectus bars for surgical correction.

METHODS

A total of 497 patients who had undergone minimally invasive repair between April 2007 and July 2011 were classified into single-bar (n=358) and double-bar (n=139) insertion groups. We measured eight distinct distances and one angle on CT scans to reflect quantitative assessment. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to detect statistically significant association between radiologic measurements and the pectus bars required.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age and gender, the transverse distance (T), the transverse distance of the depression area (A), the inclined distance of the depression area (B), the AP distance of the depression area (C), the depression angle (G), and the eccentric distance of deformity (E) were significantly correlated with double-bar insertion. The regression model showed that age (P<0.0001), gender (P<0.0001), depression angle (G) (P<0.0001), direction of the depression (DD) (P<0.0001) and depression depth (D) (P<0.0001) were significantly associated with double-bar insertion.

CONCLUSION

CT scan provides useful factors which can be of assistance in predicting the number of pectus bars for the surgical correction of pectus excavatum.

Imaging appearances of the sternum and sternoclavicular joints

The sternum and sternoclavicular joints--critical structures of the anterior chest wall--may be affected by various anatomic anomalies and pathologic processes, some of which require treatment. Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are common congenital anomalies that are usually benign but may warrant surgical treatment if they cause compression of vital internal structures. By contrast, developmental variants such as the sternal foramen are asymptomatic and do not require further evaluation or treatment. Arthritides of the sternoclavicular joint (osteoarthritis, septic arthritis, and seronegative arthropathies) are common and must be differentiated before an appropriate management method can be selected. The recognition of complications of sternotomy (eg, sternal dehiscence, secondary osteomyelitis) is critical to avoid life-threatening sequelae such as acute mediastinitis. Likewise, the detection of sternal fractures and sternoclavicular dislocations is important, especially where they impinge on vital structures. In addition, sternal malignancies (most commonly, metastases and chondrosarcoma) must be distinguished from benign neoplasms. To achieve accurate and timely diagnoses that facilitate appropriate treatment, radiologists must be familiar with the appearances of these normal anatomic variants and diseases of the sternum.

Anthropometric index for Pectus excavatum

BACKGROUND

Pectus excavatum (PEX) is a depression of the sternum in relation to the costal cartilages. Clinical and objective measures for classifying the defect are rare and difficult to apply. The present study aimed to create an anthropometric index (AI) for PEX as a method for diagnosis and for preoperative and postoperative assessment by comparing it to the Haller index (HI) and to the lower vertebral index (LVI).

METHODS

From December 2001 to February 2004, 2 groups of patients were studied at our institution: a) 30 patients with normal configuration of the thoracic cage, upon physical examination; b) 20 patients with PEX. The latter underwent surgery according to the Ravitch technique modified by Robicsek, and they were evaluated in the postoperative period. All patients were assessed by means of the AI (clinical), HI (tomographic), and LVI (radiographic) measures at the level of deepest deformity in the case of the PEX patients, and in the distal third of the sternum in the normal patients. The patients who had undergone surgery were once again measured between the 60th and the 80th postoperative days.

RESULTS

There was a high correlation between the AI and the HI (80% P < .001) and between the AI and the LVI (79% P < .001). The accuracy of the 3 indices was similar, in that the following cut points were established: AI = 0.12, HI = 3.10, and LVI = 0.25. Upon analyzing the preoperative results, we verified that for the 3 indices, over 75% of the patients with pectus excavatum were above the cut points and were confirmed as having the defect. In the postoperative results, the value of the indices found below the cut point was considered within the normal standard, and this occurred in 100% for the AI, in over 50% for the HI, and in 50% for the LVI.

CONCLUSIONS

The AI allowed adequate measurement of the defect, maintaining a) a high correlation with the HI and the LVI and a high accuracy, similar to the already acknowledged and published indices and b) an efficient comparison between the preoperative measurement and the postoperative results.

Surgical aspects of thoracoscopy and efficacy of right thoracoscopy in minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum has been established as the preferred technique for the repair of funnel chest deformity. Original techniques of pectus bar placement have been modified to improve the safety of the procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of right thoracoscopy and to identify factors responsible for complications related to thoracoscopy in minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, along with a review of the literature.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who have had a thoracoscopically assisted minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria, between 2000 and 2006. The port was inserted through the right lateral chest wall in all patients to obtain visual access for bar insertion.

RESULTS

Charts of 160 patients (130 male and 30 female) with an age range from 5 to 38 years were evaluated. Surgical time ranged from 25 to 255 minutes (mean 66 minutes). Complications primarily related to thoracoscopy were found in 16 patients (10%). There was 1 case of the port trocar piercing through the liver. Incomplete gas evacuation caused postoperative pneumothorax in 15 patients, 5 requiring thoracocentesis and 2 chest tubes.

CONCLUSIONS

Insertion of the port in the right lateral chest wall is safe and provides optimum visual access during the minimally invasive repair procedure. Careful interpretation of chest films can assist in judicious determination of the port site. Optimum pressures and near complete evacuation of the insufflation gases can drastically reduce complications. Alternative access sites such as port insertion above the level of bar placement or left-sided and/or bilateral thoracoscopy may not be necessary.

Radiological assessment of children with pectus excavatum

OBJECTIVE

To assess what degree of chest wall deformation changes statistically reliably after surgery, using pre- and postoperative radiological examination data.

METHODS

Radiological chest examinations were performed for 88 children before and after remedial operations. Pre- and postoperative chest radiograph and CT were performed to measure transversal chest width; sagittal left chest side depth, sagittal right chest side depth, sternovertebral distance and vertebral body length. Derivative indices were also estimated: Vertebral index (VI), Frontosagittal index (FI), Haller index (HI) and asymmetry index. Computerized assessment of data was used. For statistical analysis, the software "Statistica 6.0" was used.

RESULTS

Postoperatively VI increased approximately by 2.37+/-2.72, FI decreased by 4.60+/-4.34 and HI value increased approximately up by 0.45+/-0.49. Statistically significant deformation index difference before and after surgery was not detected when VI was below 26.2 (p=0.08), FI was above 32.9 (p=0.079) and HI was less than 3.12 (p=0.098).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative CT and X-ray assessment of chest wall deformation degree is important for pediatric patients. The following deformation indices are indications for surgical treatment: VI>26, FSI< 33 and HI>3.1.

Classification of the dysmorphology of pectus excavatum

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To describe the dysmorphology of pectus excavatum, the most common congenital chest wall anomaly.

METHODS

A stratified sample of 64 patients, representative of a patient population with pectus excavatum of the Children's Hospital of King's Daughters in Norfolk, VA, was described and classified. The sample was stratified by sex to represent a 4:1 male-to-female ratio. The sample was further stratified to represent categories of age (3-10, 11-16, and 17 years and older). Preoperative photos and baseline chest computed tomography scans were examined and categorized according to the chief criteria, including asymmetry/symmetry of the depression, localized vs diffuse morphology, sternal torsion, cause of asymmetric appearance, and the length of the depression.

RESULTS

Useful morphologic distinctions in pectus excavatum are localized depressions vs diffuse depressions, short and long length, symmetry, sternal torsion, slope/position of absolute depth, and unique patterns such as the horns of steer depression.

CONCLUSIONS

These classifications simplify the diagnosis of pectus excavatum, aid in corrective surgery, and should improve correlation of phenotype and genotype in future genetic analysis.

Ten year experience of bioabsorbable mesh support in pectus excavatum repair

INTRODUCTION

We reviewed 10 years experience in the treatment of this deformity using a retro-sternal bioabsorbable mesh in place of a metallic device to lift and stabilise the sternum. Moreover, the mesh supports the thoracic and upper abdominal wall reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1990 to December 2000, in our Thoracic Surgery Unit, 65 patients with PE were assessed for surgical repair, mean age 16+/- 3.5 years, fronto sagittal thoracic index (FSTI) 0.21, ranging from 0.15-0.33. Twenty-three of them underwent surgical correction after initial assessment, 22 were deferred and sent to physiotherapy. At a subsequent assessment, five of the patients sent to physiotherapy were deemed to require surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 28 patients who underwent surgery, 2 (10%) presented a mild recurrence of PE after 1 year (0.30<FSTI>0.34), meanwhile all other patients maintained a FSTI>0.34. For all patients the improvement in FSTI was statistically significant, p = 0.001. Patients satisfaction after 24 months was thus shared: excellent 18 patients (65%), good seven patients (25%), fair one patient (3.5%) and poor two patients (7%). No major complications were observed in preoperative period. Patients mobilisation was soon achieved thanks to the postoperative pain control and the absence of retro-sternal metallic support.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of bioabsorbable mesh in the Robicsek technique is a safe procedure related to a high percentage of success. The high tolerance of the material reduces the inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the procedure prevents patients from having complications caused by retro-sternal device dislodgment, avoiding a second intervention for device reposition and reducing the postoperative chest pain achieving an early patient mobilisation. In the end a complete reconstruction of the upper abdomen wall has been produced.