Migration of pectus excavatum correction metal support into the abdomen

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 1998 Oct;14(4):434-6. doi: 10.1016/s1010-7940(98)00190-0.

Abstract

The authors describe a case of migration of a metal support, used to fix a corrected pectus excavatum deformity, into the peritoneal cavity. The migrated wire caused abdominal pain. A video laparoscopic removal of the wire was undertaken and the patient made a full recovery. A review of the literature shows that this has not been reported before and that serious complications related to metal struts are very uncommon. We do not believe that a revision of this surgical technique is needed; anyway, foreign body migration should always be considered as a cause for unusual symptoms in patients undergoing this operation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen*
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Bone Wires / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Funnel Chest / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy
  • Peritoneal Cavity / pathology
  • Video Recording