Reoperation for a congenital heart defect and simultaneous repair for a severe form of pectus excavatum.

A 12-year-old boy was referred for treatment of severe mitral regurge. The boy had already undergone two previous operations. A reduced exercise capacity was measured. Lung function was severely affected and exhibited a reduced forced vital capacity. Because access to the heart after previous surgery together with the severe chest malformation required a sternotomy, the authors opted for a simultaneous chest wall reconstruction as in a Ravitch repair.