Objective: To improve the surgical procedure to correct pectus carinatum.
Methods: From 1990 to 2003, 9 patients with pectus carinatum were treated, whose ages ranged from 3 years and 6 months to 16 years. The conventional operation was performed on 4 patients, the modified procedure on 5 patients. The modified procedure included: (1) the shortening rib periosteum was not sutured transversally; (2) the corrected position of the sternum was stabilized with the metal strut.
Results: In 4 patients corrected by the conventional procedure, the sternum depression as pectus excavatum occurred in 1 case five years postoperatively. The results were satisfactory in 5 patients corrected by the modified procedure. The reconstructed thorax was symmetrical, without bulging or dimpling of sternum and costal cartilage.
Conclusion: The improvement of operative method is reasonable and effective in correcting pectus carinatum.