Exceptional life-threatening complication 19 years after Ravitch correction of pectus excavatum.

BACKGROUND

Ravitch technique of chest correction has been considered, although invasive, as a safe and efficacious surgical method.

CASE: We describe a case of a 35-year-old woman with cardiac tamponade and in cardiogenic shock due to exceptional late complication after pectus excavatum reconstruction by means of classic Ravitch technique 19 years earlier. This very late adverse event was caused by a broken metal sternal wire that injured the wall of the ascending aorta. The patient underwent salvage repair of this segment of the aorta in cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative course and postdischarge 3-year follow-up have been uneventful.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, life-threatening cardiovascular complications may occur even many years after reconstructive surgery for chest deformity.