Anterior chest wall elevation using a T-fastener suture technique during a Nuss procedure.

Abstract

The most critical part of the Nuss procedure is the passage of the introducer across the anterior mediastinum without cardiac injury. For patients with severe pectus excavatum, passing the introducer can be difficult and hazardous. We describe a technique that resembles a use of T-fastenerlike suture material to elevate the anterior chest. The elevation of the chest allows safe, blunt anterior mediastinal dissection before the passage of the introducer. The risk of intraoperative cardiac perforation is minimized.