Experience with a simple technique for pectus bar removal

BackgroundThere have been numerous reports of techniques used for pectus bar removal after correction of pectus excavatum. We use 2 operating tables positioned perpendicular to each other in a T-shaped configuration with the patients thorax circumferentially exposed so the bar is removed in 1 motion without bending the bar. In this study, we report the results of this procedure.MethodsA retrospective chart review of patients undergoing bar removal after repair of pectus excavatum at our institution from August 2000 to March 2010 was performed.ResultsThere were 230 patients with a mean age of 16.7 years (range, 7.8-25.3 years) at bar removal. Mean operative time for bar removal was 28.6 minutes, and average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 9.5 mL (range, 5-400 mL). One patient demonstrated significant hemorrhage from the bar tract after bar removal, which was controlled with circumferential compression wrap. Calcification was noted in 11 patients, and chondroma, in 8 patients. Wound infection after bar removal occurred in 3% of patients. No patient required the bar to be bent into a straight configuration for removal.ConclusionsRemoval of pectus bars using this 2-table T-configuration technique is safe, is time efficient, and obviates the need for bending the bar.