Surgical correction of pectus excavatum. How did we get here? Where are we going?

• Published in: The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon Vol. 59; no. 1; p. 5
• Main Authors: Robicsek, F, Watts, L T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.02.2011
• Subjects: Austria; Biocompatible Materials - history; Funnel Chest - history; Funnel Chest - surgery; History, 17th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; History, Medieval; Humans; Orthopedic Fixation Devices - history; Orthopedic Procedures - history; Orthopedic Procedures - methods; Prostheses and Implants - history; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - history; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - trends; Spain; Sternum - surgery; Switzerland; Thoracic Surgical Procedures - history; Thoracic Surgical Procedures - methods; Thoracic Surgical Procedures - trends; Thoracic Wall - surgery; Treatment Outcome; United States; Austria; United States; Switzerland; Spain
• ISSN: 1439-1902
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250602

The currently applied techniques recommended for the repair of pectus excavatum anomalies are discussed, set against a historical review of early clinical studies and surgical interventions. The issues of the future direction pectus excavatum surgery may take are analyzed in detail, with the reviewer expressing reservations in connection with the recent trend to closed repair and concern over the potential for serious complications associated with the application of this technique.