PECTUS EXCAVATUM (SUNKEN CHEST) SURGERY IN SPAIN

Pectus excavatum (also called sunken chest) is a congenital deformity of the rib cage which causes a sunken chest in the area of the sternum. The sternum is sunken and the chest has a concave appearance. It is more common in men and affects 1 in every 700 people. It is one of the most common malformations of the chest, it is without a specific cause and it has a strong heredity component. Sometimes it is associated with other deformities such as scoliosis or Poland syndrome.

These malformations of the chest not only cause aesthetic and psychological problems but can also have consequences on the correct functioning of the pulmonary system.

Until a few years ago, for the treatment of pectus excavatum, the NUSS procedure (a bar is placed inside the chest to lift up the thorax) or the Ravitch procedure (to surgically raise the sternum removing the costochondral joints) was usually used. The problem is that these interventions could cause significant complications such as cardiac perforation, pleural effusion, and erosion of the pulmonary vessels, infections or displacement of the bar.

Currently, the plastic surgeons at Antiaging Group Barcelona (Spain) offer a safe and definitive method for patients with pectus excavatum. The company AnatomikModeling creates a custom-made implant based on the thorax deformity using a CT (CAT) scan. The implant covers and adapts to the entire defect and is implanted using the technique of professor Chavoin (world renowned pioneer in Anatomik Modelling implants).

The advantages of this surgical technique for patients with pectus excavatum (sunken chest) are the following:

1. Customized and personalized surgery according to the existing deformity.
2. Soft but solid silicone material, which a feel like that of the sternum (chest bone) and definitive.
3. The edges of the implant adapt to the defect and are also covered by the musculature.

The operation for pectus excavatum using AnatomikModeling implants lasts about 45 minutes. Physical exercise is to be avoided for 8-12 weeks according to the size of the implant.

The technique can be carried out alone or combined with other treatments (breast implants, fat transfer, pectoral implants) according to the needs of the patient.

The great advantage of the correction of this type of deformities of the thorax by means of surgery using silicone implants is that it is a safe and easy intervention which avoids open chest surgery and its possible complications.

The team of plastic surgeons at Antiaging Group Barcelona (Spain) is the only Spanish centre of reference for AnatomikModeling. Doctor Jesús Benito’s team has received theoretical and practical training on the computerized construction of 3D implants and the distinct intervention techniques.

Yes, it is possible. Until now, the options that were offered to patients with pectus excavatum were the use of standard breast or pectoral implants, fatty tissue grafts or custom-made silicone implants formed using external moulds.

Fortunately, new technology allows us to improve the results of patients with these types of malformations. For patients who have already had an operation for pectus excavatum or Poland syndrome, one of the great advantages of the AnatomikModelling implant is that the prototype is made using the CT (CAT) scan images which by using computer engineering reconstructs the defect in 3D, which is still there despite having an implanted prosthesis. Until now, the reconstruction of the defect could not in many cases be complete, but with these moulds developed using computer-aided design the defect is filled in a way that is almost perfect.

Each case is unique and special and needs a prior evaluation to decide if the re-operation is really worthwhile and which scar to do it through and where exactly to place the implant. For all of this, we recommend a consultation with pectus excavatum specialist team at the Antiaging Group Barcelona (Spain) clinic to be able to offer the best option.

Pectus excavatum becomes more evident in adolescence due to the significant growth in bone and cartilaginous tissue. It is at this stage of adolescence that it is recommended to carry out this intervention of funnel chest (sunken chest or pectus excavatum) to mould the structures before growth has finished, as when it is stable, reconstruction is more difficult.