Surgical Outcomes of Double Compression and Complete Fixation Bar System in Pectus Excavatum

'Short Bars Crossed' to Remodel the Entire Chest Wall in Children and Adolescents with Pectus Excavatum

BACKGROUND

The cross-bar technique of minimally invasive pectus excavatum (PE) correction remains underreported, which is especially true of pediatric patients. We therefore reviewed the experience of a Turkish and an Austrian center. An additional novelty characterizing both pediatric cohorts was the use of short bars.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, pediatric PE corrections involving 'short bars crossed' were analyzed for complications and intra-/postoperative outcomes. Cases with two or three bars were included, given that a horizontal third bar was placed whenever considered useful for upper-chest elevation. All bars were fitted with a single stabilizer near the surgical entry point. In the Austrian center, intercostal nerve cryoablation was used for pain management. Descriptive statistics are presented.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients ≤18 years old were evaluable at the Turkish (n = 56) and Austrian (n = 22) centers. Total median values were 16.2 (IQR: 15.1-17.4) years for age and 4.60 (IQR: 3.50-6.11) for Haller index. Ten mild or moderate complications (12.8%) were observed, including just one revision requirement due to bar migration (1.28%). Intercostal nerve cryoablation (n = 13) was associated with longer surgical procedures at 150 (IQR: 137-171) versus 80 (IQR: 60-100) minutes but with shorter hospital stays, given an IQR of 3-4 days versus 4-5 days.

CONCLUSION

'Short bars crossed'-with a single stabilizer in a ventral position close to the surgical entry point-ensure a wide distribution of forces, protect against bar migration, are safe and effective, and offer stability at an age characterized by growth and physical activity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Evaluating the web as a source of information for patients with chest wall deformities: insights into engagement and disparities

BACKGROUND

Recent data highlight the internet's pivotal role as the primary information source for patients. In this study, we emulate a patient's/caregiver's quest for online information concerning chest deformities and assess the quality of available information.

METHODS

We conducted an internet search using combination of the terms "pectus excavatum," "pectus excavatum surgery," "funnel chest," "pectus excavatum repair" and identified the first 100 relevant websites from the three most popular search engines: Google, Yahoo, and Bing. These websites were evaluated using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) instrument.

RESULTS

Of the 300 websites generated, 140 (46.7%) were included in our evaluation after elimination of duplicates, non-English websites, and those targeting medical professionals. The EQIP scores in the final sample ranged from 8 to 32/36, with a median score of 22. Most of the evaluated websites (32.8%) originated from hospitals, yet none met all 36 EQIP criteria.

DISCUSSION

None of the evaluated websites pertaining to pectus excavatum achieved a flawless "content quality" score. The diverse array of websites potentially complicates patients' efforts to navigate toward high-quality resources. Barriers in accessing high-quality online patient information may contribute to disparities in referral, patient engagement, treatment satisfaction, and overall quality of life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Limited cryoablation reduces hospital stay and opioid consumption compared to thoracic epidural analgesia after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum

pain following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is a critical concern that leads to a prolonged hospital stay and high doses of opiates administered to the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative cryoanalgesia (cryoablation of the intercostal nerves) during MIRPE. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 64 patients who underwent MIRPE and received cryoanalgesia or epidural analgesia between January 2019 and January 2021. The oral morphine milligram equivalent (MME) was used to calculate the dosage of opioid agents. The median age was 15 years (range, 4-33 years). The median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2-6 days), with a median oral MME consumption of 45 mg (ranging from 0 to 1360 mg). Cryoanalgesia was performed in 38 patients, and epidural analgesia was administered to the remaining 26 patients. The cryoanalgesia group had a significantly lesser pain score, shorter postoperative hospital stay and lower oral MME consumption than the epidural analgesia group (5 vs 2; P < .001, 3 days vs 5 days; P < .001, 19 mg vs 634 mg; P < .001). Cryoanalgesia appears to reduce postoperative hospital stay and opioid consumption compared with epidural analgesia. The outcomes of this study indicate that cryoanalgesia might be a safe and effective method for pain control following MIRPE.

The effectiveness of double-bar correction for pectus excavatum: A comparison between the parallel bar and cross-bar techniques

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness between parallel bar and cross-bar techniques for treating pectus excavatum.

Methods

A total of 80 patients who underwent parallel bar insertion (group 1) or cross-bar insertion (group 2) were evaluated retrospectively. From the pre- and post-operative chest CT images, vertebral-level-specific pectus indices were defined as the ratio of the maximum transverse diameter to the anteroposterior diameter of the thoracic cavity at a specific vertebral level and measured at 3 levels up (3Up-PI, 2Up-PI, 1Up-PI) and 1 vertebral level down (1Down-PI) from the narrowest point. The effectiveness of double-bar correction was compared between the 2 groups using postoperative vertebral level-specific pectus index changes.

Results

A total of 44 patients were enrolled in group 1, and 36 patients were enrolled in group 2. Preoperative pectus index values were not different between the 2 groups (4.5 ± 1.0 vs. 4.9 ± 1.5, P = 0.135). After double-bar correction, pectus index significantly decreased in both groups. There were no differences in postoperative pectus indices between the 2 groups (2.7 ± 0.4 vs. 2.6 ± 0.3, P = 0.197). Postoperative changes in 3Up-PI, 2Up-PI, and 1Up-PI were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). However, postoperative changes at the narrowest level and at 1Down-PI were significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1 (1.78 ± 0.85 vs. 2.32 ± 1.44, P = 0.009; 1.21 ± 0.70 vs. 1.70 ± 1.20, P = 0.009, respectively).

Conclusions

Double-bar correction appears to be effective for treating pectus excavatum. The cross-bar insertion technique might be superior to the parallel bar insertion technique for correcting a wider range of deformities, especially at the lower part of the depression.

Repair of pectus carinatum, carinatum/excavatum complex patients with doubly double bar technique

Surgical correction is needed for patients with pectus carinatum who do not adapt to bracing therapy. We performed the doubly double bar technique for ten patients who did not adapt to bracing therapy for patients with pectus carinatum and/or carinatum/excavatum complex type. A complete correction was achieved for all patients, and there were no complications. Our initial experience suggests that the doubly double bar technique can be performed effectively for pectus carinatum and/or carinatum/excavatum complex type patients.