[Preliminary results in the correction of the pectus excavatum with the Acastello modified Welch technique].

BACKGROUND

Congenital malformations of the chest wall are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the costal cartilage, ribs, sternum, scapula and clavicle. The pectus excavatum is characterized by a posterior depression of the sternum. Acastello-Welch technique consists in a partial resection of the costal cartilages adding some bars or plates unilaterally fixed to the sternum in each hemithorax.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

From October 2008 to March 2011 we evaluated 108 patients with congenital malformations of the chest wall. Forty-seven patients (44%) had a pectus excavatum and 12 were treated with Acastello-Welch technique.

RESULTS

There were no intraoperative complications. After a mean follow up of 27 months, correction of the deformity was very satisfactory both objective and subjective for patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The Welch thoracoplasty modified by Acastello is a good option for the correction of the pectus excavatum associating little morbidity and good esthetic outcomes.