An innovative single-stage repair of severe asymmetric pectus excavatum defects using substernal mesh bands.

An internally supported technique employing selective subperichondral cartilage resection and wedge sternal osteotomy reinforced with multiple transverse nonabsorbable mesh bands was performed in 52 patients undergoing surgical repair of severe asymmetric pectus excavatum chest wall deformity. The short-term structural and cosmetic results were excellent, the length of hospital stay was short (3.1 days), and complications were few. The long-term results were also excellent at 5 to 161 months (mean, 79 months) after repair. The procedure is well accepted by patients and families as a treatment for the severe variants of this chest wall lesion and as such is recommended as a satisfactory alternative to current techniques.