What surgical treatments are available for pectus excavatum?
The Nuss procedure is currently the state-of-the-art surgical care for pectus excavatum and is the best option for most patients. For these reasons, we most commonly recommend this procedure. With the Nuss procedure, a stabilizing bar is placed under the breast bone to correct the depression of the chest. Compared to traditional surgical approaches, the Nuss procedure is minimally invasive and is associated with reduced operating time and minimal blood loss. Excellent long-term correction of pectus excavatum can be achieved with this procedure. The Nuss procedure, however, may not be the best option for some patients. As a result, we also offer the Ravitch procedure for patients who cannot be treated with the Nuss procedure. The Ravitch procedure was standard treatment for pectus excavatum before the introduction of the Nuss procedure and involves removal of abnormal cartilage to correct depression of the chest. By offering a range of options, we can provide a treatment plan that is be
