Early Results of the Sternocostal Elevation for Pectus Excavatum

Sternocostal elavation술의 누두흉 교정효과

Thirteen sternocosal elevations for pectus excavatum were performed on twelve patients between Jan 1989 and Sep. 1991. Eleven among the twleve patients were male. The subjects ranged in age from 2 years to 20 years, with a mean age of 8.33 years[SD=4.80 years], Eleven patients were below 15 years. The early postoperative evaluation by Humphreys` criteria except keloid formation was excellent in all the patients. The lower vertebral index[LVI], configuration index[CI], and upper vertebral index[UVI] were measured on the lateral chest roentgenogram. The LVI and CI improved significantly from 0.31$\pm$0.06 and 1.14$\pm$0.06 preoperatively to 0.25$\pm$0.03 and 0.78$\pm$1.10 postoperatively. The degrees of depression, flatness, and asymmetry and funnel index were measured at the most deformed portion on the computed tomgram performed pre- and postoperatively. The degrees of depression and funnel index improved significantly from 3.32$\pm$0.73 and 5.77$\pm$1. 54 preoperatively to 1.85$\pm$0.14 and 2.96$\pm$0.43 postoperatively, There was no significant change in the degree of flatness however, Six postoperative morbidities occurred in five patients Three were superficial wound infection, two hemopneumothorax, and one reoeration, Reoperation was performed due to forward displacement of the distal sternum below the posterior sternotomy, The findings of this study suggest that the sternocostal elevation is an excellent primary method for the pectus excavatum of children and young adolescents.