Endoscopic correction of pectus excavatum.

Endoscopic surgery is minimally invasive and can be used to achieve superior cosmetic results. Conventional correction of pectus excavatum results in a long scar. Correction by use of endoscopic surgery involves a smaller skin incision. In this study, endoscopic correction of pectus excavatum was performed in 20 cases. A small transverse skin incision was made above the xyphoid process. A wide area beneath the pectoralis major muscle was dissected under endoscopic visualization. Subperichondrial resection was performed under direct visualization when possible. Subperichondrial resection of the third or fourth rib was performed under endoscopic visualization. Ravitch's chondrotomy of the second or third rib was performed under endoscopic visualization. Endoscopy was also useful for sternal elevation, with minimal risk of pleural perforation. Kirschner wire was inserted percutaneously under the sternum to prevent postoperative paradoxical respiration. In all cases, the postoperative course was uneventful. The advantages of endoscopic pectus excavatum correction are a short scar, control of bleeding, safe dissection of the pleura from the sternum without the risk of pleural perforation, and ease of sternal elevation without injury to the intramammary vessels. However, the endoscopic operation is long and is not useful in adults because subperichondrial resection in adults is difficult to perform.