Thoracoplasty in children
Thoracoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at reconstructing the chest wall in children with congenital or acquired deformities of the ribs and sternum. The operation helps restore the normal shape of the chest, improve respiratory function, and prevent compression of internal organs.
Indications for thoracoplasty in children
- Funnel chest deformity (pectus excavatum).
- Keel-shaped chest deformity (pectus carinatum).
- Post-traumatic deformities of the ribs and sternum.
- Chest wall deformities secondary to diseases (rickets, neuromuscular disorders).
- Severe scoliosis with associated rib cage deformity.
Preoperative diagnostic assessment
- Chest X-ray. Allows assessment of the severity and type of deformity.
- CT and MRI. Provide detailed visualization of bony structures and the degree of compression of the heart and lungs.
- Pulmonary function tests (spirometry). Evaluate the impact of the deformity on respiratory capacity.
- Cardiological assessment. Excludes or confirms cardiac compression or functional impairment.
Types of thoracoplasty in pediatric patients
- Minimally invasive Nuss procedure. Primarily used for pectus excavatum and involves placement of a metal bar to correct the deformity.
- Open reconstructive Ravitch procedure. Applied in severe deformities and includes resection of deformed costal cartilages and sternum remodeling.
- Corrective osteotomy. Used in combined deformities of the chest wall and spine.
- Plastic reconstructive techniques. Indicated in complex cases and may include the use of implants.
How the operation is performed
- Preoperative preparation. The child undergoes comprehensive evaluation and an individualized surgical plan is developed.
- Surgical correction. The surgeon corrects the deformity and stabilizes the ribs and sternum in an anatomically correct position.
- Postoperative care. The child remains under close observation, with a protective regimen and physiotherapy initiated.
Rehabilitation after thoracoplasty
- First 2–3 weeks: restriction of physical activity.
- Respiratory exercises and therapeutic physical training.
- Follow-up examinations to assess surgical outcomes.
- Removal of the metal bar (if the Nuss technique was used) after 2–3 years.
Advantages of modern surgical approaches
- Minimally invasive techniques shorten recovery time.
- The operation improves respiratory function and prevents compression of the heart and lungs.
- Early intervention reduces the risk of severe long-term complications.
- Modern fixation systems provide reliable stabilization of the rib cage.
Advantages of thoracoplasty in children in Belarus
In Belarus, thoracoplasty is performed in specialized surgical centers using modern corrective techniques, including minimally invasive procedures. Experienced pediatric surgeons apply a personalized approach, helping children avoid complications and significantly improve their quality of life.
This text has been translated using machine translation technology (DeepL API) and may contain inaccuracies.
