Exercise performance testing in patients with pectus excavatum before and after Nuss procedure.

PURPOSE: To assess the changes in lung function and exercise performance due to minimal invasive pectus repair.

METHODS

Fifty-nine patients with an average age of 16 years were included in this prospective investigation. After determination of body mass index (BMI) and body fat patients were subjected to pre-OP, post-OP and post-implant removal spirometry and bicycle ergospirometry. Forced vital capacity (FVC), performance capacity (PC) and relative oxygen uptake were determined.

RESULTS

Post-OP FVC significantly decreased from 91% of normal value to 79%, but again increased to 88% after implant removal. PC showed a significant reduction (105-97% of normal value). Likewise, the relative oxygen uptake showed a significant decrease (43.8-42.2 ml/kg per min). These findings correlated to a significant increase of BMI and body fat. When calculating oxygen uptake per kilogram lean body weight, there were no significant changes (49.8 to 49.8 ml/kg per min).

CONCLUSIONS

Pectus repair resulted in a temporary reduction of FVC, which resolved after implant removal. The drop in oxygen uptake and PC could be related to a significant increase of BMI and body fat. According to our data pectus repair is not followed by improvements in lung function and exercise performance.