Extrapleural, submuscular bars placed by bilateral thoracoscopy-a new improvement in modified Nuss funnel chest repair

Extrapleural bar position is feasible in more than 90% of modified Nuss repairs. It reduces pleural secretion and pain, and seems to reduce pneumothorax, pulmonary bar adhesions, and pericardial effusions. The technique is easy and safe, and reduced the incidence of most complications in this early experience of 57 adolescent patients, although no sportive restrictions were imposed at all.