Engum, et al. Post-operative complications include pneumothorax, displacement of the bar. It requires neither cutting or removal of cartilage. There is minimal blood loss. Therefore the patient has a shorter anaesthetic.
Patients can resume sports activities approximately one month after their operation.
A study is currently taking place in some paediatric centres in the UK to evaluate the Nuss procedure. The ribs and costal cartilages are usually thick and brittle in adults, making this procedure more difficult in the older patient. This type of surgery may not be suitable for those patients with a combined deformity or pectus carinatum. It involves a bilateral curvilinear incision beneath the breasts and removal of the lower 4-5 cartilages. Wires are fitted through the sternum and are fitted to a plastic 'Jewitt' brace to provide traction.