Project description:BackgroundCurrently, the anti-Nuss operation is widely used as standard surgery for pectus carinatum, but the installation and removal of the Nuss steel bars can be difficult, time-consuming and traumatic. To further simplify the procedure, we designed a new steel bar to facilitate minimally invasive surgical correction of pectus carinatum.MethodsFrom January 2018 to July 2021, 112 patients underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum (MIRPC) with the new steel bar in our centre. Two generations of bars were designed during our study period, and symmetric and asymmetric deformities were treated. After 2 years of follow-up, the bar and stabilizers were removed. The effects and complications of minimally invasive repair using the new bar to correct pectus carinatum were reviewed.ResultsThe mean patient age was 14.46 years. The mean operation duration was 67.74 minutes. The mean hospital length of stay was 3.64 days. The Haller index of the patients improved from 1.96 preoperatively to 2.78 postoperatively. The complications included pneumothorax, pleural effusion, wound infections, nickel allergy, screw loosening, wire breakdown, bar fraction and overcorrection leading to excavatum. Seventy-two patients (64.3%) underwent bar removal, with 63 patients (87.5%) achieving excellent or good results. The deformity recurred in 2 patients (2.8%) during follow-up.ConclusionsMIRPC with our newly designed steel bar can achieve good results and is effective in repairing both symmetric and asymmetric carinatum deformities.
Project description:Pectus carinatum is characterized by a protruding sternum. This deformity can be surgically corrected through the minimally invasive Abramson technique. In this procedure, a presternal metal correctional bar, secured to rib-attached stabilizers, is implanted to redress the sternum to a neutral position. To anticipate the intended position of the sternum, manual compression is applied over the sternal deformity. We describe a modified version of the Abramson procedure, encompassing a table-mounted PectusAssist™ System which generates a constant mechanical compression over the protruding sternum. The PectusAssist™ System, most importantly, eliminates the necessity of manually applying repetitive pressure on the deformity, and therefore maintains a more stable sternal position. This will ensure accuracy of the template used to bend the bar into its desired configuration. The modification we propose also simplifies presternal tunnel creation as the two bilateral retromuscular tunnels, that need to be connected presternally, are potentially better aligned due to a more stable and reduced position of the sternum. The PectusAssist™ System makes the procedure less labor intensive and reduces variability without interfering with the safety of the procedure. Therefore, we advise standard use of the PectusAssist™ System during minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum by the Abramson procedure.
Project description:Pectus carinatum is a chest wall deformity that is often treated through the wearing of an external brace. The treatment of the deformity could benefit from a greater understanding of chest wall characteristics under prolonged loading. These characteristics are difficult to model directly but empirical studies can be used to create statistical models. 185 patients from 2018-2020 received bracing treatment. Data on the severity of the deformity, treatment pressures, and time of wear were recorded at the first fitting and all subsequent follow-up visits. This data was analyzed using a statistical mixed effects model to identify significant measures and trends in treatment. These models were designed to help quantify changes in chest wall characteristics through prolonged bracing. Two statistical models were created. The first model predicts the change in the amount of pressure to correct the deformity after bracing for a given time and pressure. The second model predicts the change in pressure response by the body on the brace after bracing for a given time and pressure. These models show a high significance in the amount of pressure and time to the changes in the chest wall response. Initial deformity severity is also significant in changes to the deformity. The statistical models predict general trends in pectus carinatum brace treatment and can assist in creating treatment plans, motivating patient compliance, and can inform the design of future treatment systems.
Project description:IntroductionPrevious studies demonstrated a release of toxic metals, e.g. nickel and chromium, from stainless steel bars used for minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE). In the present study, we investigated the impact of titanium nitride coating on the metal release and exposure of MIRPE patients.Material and methodsWe analyzed the courses of nickel and chromium levels in blood, urine and local tissue in patients undergoing MIRPE with a titanium nitride coated pectus bar between 03/2017 and 10/2018. Sample collection was scheduled prior to MIRPE, at defined postoperative time points and at bar removal. Additionally, we evaluated irritative symptoms. Results were compared to a control group who received uncoated stainless steel bars in a previous time period (03/2015-02/2017).Results12 patients received coated pectus bars (mean age 15.7 years). The control group included 28 patients. After implantation of a titanium nitride coated bar, significant increase in systemic nickel and chromium levels after one, two and three years was noted. In an interim analysis one year after MIRPE, we observed patients with coated bars to have significantly elevated trace metal values compared to the control group. This elevation persisted throughout the observation period. Tissue metal values were also significantly increased. Irritative symptoms occurred significantly more often in study patients compared to controls (50.0% vs. 14.3%).ConclusionsCoating of pectus bars with titanium nitride failed to reduce metal contamination after MIRPE. Instead, it resulted in a significant increase of trace metal levels after MIRPE, compared to patients with stainless steel bars, which may be explained by wear of the coating and inter-component mobilization processes.
Project description:BackgroundIt is unclear if amianthoid transformation (AT) of costal cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) has an impact on the development of pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC).MethodsAT foci were examined in intrasurgical biopsy specimens of costal cartilages of children (8-17 years old) with PE (n = 12) and PC (n = 12) and in age-matching autopsy control samples (n = 10) using histological and immunohistochemical staining, atomic force and nonlinear optical microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, morphometry and statistics.ResultsAT areas were identified in the costal cartilage ECM in children with normal chest, PE and PC. Each type of the AT areas ("canonical", "intertwined", "fine-fibred" and "intralacunary") had a unique morphological pattern of thickness and alignment of amianthoid fibers (AFs). AFs were formed via lateral aggregation of collagen type II fibrils in the intact ECM. Foci of the AT were observed significantly more frequently in the PE and PC groups. The AT areas had unique quantitative features in each study group.ConclusionAT is a structurally diverse form of ECM alteration present in healthy and pathological costal cartilage. PE and PC are associated with specific AT disorders.
Project description:BackgroundIndividuals affected by chest wall deformities may search for information on these conditions on the web. Google data may reflect the global interest in health-related information. Our aim was to investigate the global trends in searches associated with the topics "Pectus excavatum" and "Pectus carinatum" using Google Trends.MethodsWe retrieved the global data from 1st January 2004 to 31st October 2019. We analyzed the relative search volume (RSV) for countries or areas with a no-low search volume. We compared differences in interest between seasons using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the post-hoc test.ResultsThe median RSV for the pectus excavatum was equal to 58.00 (54.00-65.00) while for pectus carinatum 28.00 (23.25-31.00). The interest in pectus excavatum decreases on average by 0.98 RSV each year, while interest in pectus carinatum increased each year by 0.87 RSV. We observed the highest interest in analyzed topics during summer and the lowest during winter. The relative difference in interest between summer and winter was equal to 21.4% for pectus excavatum and 19.2% for pectus carinatum. Pectus excavatum was the most popular topic in n=51 countries or areas, while pectus carinatum in n=7 countries or areas/regions.ConclusionsGlobally, interest in pectus excavatum is higher than the interest in pectus carinatum that might reflect real-world prevalence. The interest in both topics shows seasonal variation. The Internet is an essential source of information on chest wall deformities. The medical professionals should provide quality content on pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum.
Project description:Introduction: The anti-Nuss procedure has gradually been found to have several shortcomings in clinical practice. Accordingly, our department previously designed and introduced a new steel plate. However, there is limited evidence regarding its safety and efficacy. Thus, we aim to compare the efficacy and safety of the conventional anti-Nuss operation with those of a modified anti-Nuss operation using a flexible plate. Methods: Patients with pectus carinatum who underwent surgery between January 2014 and August 2019 were consecutively enrolled in this single-center, retrospective study. In all, 53 patients underwent the modified procedure using the new steel plate (new procedure group), whereas 43 underwent the conventional anti-Nuss procedure (traditional procedure group). Outcome analysis was performed using SPSS to compare the intraoperative and postoperative short-term outcomes. Results: All patients in the new procedure group had shorter operation duration (75.23 ± 11.90 vs. 82.45 ± 9.30 min, p = 0.008), postoperative hospitalizations (3.42 ± 0.95 vs. 4.64 ± 1.53 days, p = 0.039), and plate removal surgery durations (40.60 ± 3.47 vs. 60.30 ± 9.75 min, p = 0.041) than patients in the traditional procedure group. There were no significant differences in the length of incision, postoperative Haller index, cost, postoperative surgical outcome, and incidence of complications between the two groups. Conclusion: Our data reveal that the main clinical outcomes were similar for after anti-Nuss operation and modified anti-Nuss operation. However, the modified procedure for pectus carinatum had a shorter operation duration, postoperative hospitalization, and plate removal surgery duration.
Project description:Background/purposeTo report telemedicine's feasibility and satisfaction rates for treating patients with pectus carinatum using a dynamic compressor system. We analyzed treatment adherence in comparison with the previous, non-pandemic year.Materials and methodsRetrospective analysis including patients with pectus carinatum under treatment with a dynamic compressor system using telemedicine at the chest wall centers from two hospitals, private and public, between April and July 2020. A free video conference platform for teleconsultations was employed. We evaluated the incidence of pectus cases with telemedicine, the number of dynamic compressor system prescriptions, the number of patients in the correction phase, and the number who ended treatment. To assess adherence, we compared our cohort with an in-person cohort during the same time frame of the previous, non-pandemic year. In addition, we performed a patient satisfaction survey comprising questions related to socioeconomic status, the likeability of telemedicine, simplicity of modification of the system, and desire to continue with telepectus after the pandemic.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-six telepectus consultations were performed in 76 patients. During this time frame, 15 patients started using the dynamic compressor system. Compared to the previous, non-pandemic year, the number of consultations per patient was similar (2019: 1.92 ± 1 .0 vs. 2020: 1.79 ± 0.8, p = 0.32), and there was a significant reduction in the number of dropouts with the use of telemedicine (9% vs. 1%, p = 0.025). Fifty-nine patients answered the satisfaction survey. All of them solved their doubts through telemedicine. Overall, 95% found telemedicine comfortable. Of note, those with a lower income evidenced the highest intention in continuing with telemedicine.ConclusionsWe demonstrated the feasibility of remote care of patients with pectus carinatum using a dynamic compressor system with a similar frequency of consultations compared to in-person medical care. Telepectus patients revealed a high rate of satisfaction irrespective of their socioeconomic status.Level of evidenceIV.Type of studyRetrospective study.
Project description:BackgroundThe effects of the Nuss procedure on chest wall motion and spirometry have previously been described; we aimed to describe the effects of removal of the Nuss bar.MethodsWe studied 9 patients just prior to and 6 weeks after Nuss bar removal. Regional chest volume changes, synchrony of respiratory movement and spirometry were recorded using optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) and compared. Recordings were performed at rest and exercise during cycle ergometry.ResultsThere were small but statistically significant changes in tidal volumes of the diaphragmatic ribcage compartment during exercise (+ 48 ml, p = 0.038, Cohen's d = 0.12) and percentage contribution of the diaphragmatic ribcage to total tidal volumes at rest (+ 2.7 percentage points, p = 0.038, Cohen's d = 0.12). Synchrony of respiratory movements at rest and during exercise was unchanged following Nuss bar removal. There were no significant changes in spirometry and exercise capacity.ConclusionsThe effects of Nuss bar removal on diaphragmatic ribcage motion are detectable but small and unlikely to be of clinical significance. No change in exercise capacity should be expected after Nuss bar removal.Trial registrationRegistered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02958683 , registered 5th August 2016, first patient enrolled July 2016, retrospectively registered.
Project description:Although infrequent, damage to cardiovascular structures can occur during or following a minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. We present a case of right ventricular outflow tract compression caused by a displaced intrathoracic bar. Removal of the bar resulted in an improvement in symptoms and hemodynamics. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).