Results in Surgical Correction of Pectus Excavatum

The results in 37 patients who underwent surgical correction of pectus excavatum at the First Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Hospital during a period from 1973 to 1984 were reported. A variety of surgical techniques were used, and satisfactory resuls were obtained in 29 patients (78%), including 24 excellent and 5 good appreciation. Topical postoperative complications occurred in 14 of the 37 patients (38%). Five patients had recurrence of the excavated deformity. Repair of the deformity using sternal turnover technique yielded satisfactory results in 24 of the 27 patients (88%). However, partial bone necrosis occurred in 2 patients, and recurrence of the deformity occurred in 2 patients, who underwent the classical type of turnover operation at their ages over 9 years old. Since 1982 subperichondrial dissection technique has been employed for free grafted sternal turnover operation, the results have been satisfactory without any major topical complication. The efficacy of total preservation of the perichondrium was emphasized