Chest Wall Surgery Program

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of Chest Wall Conditions

Our program uses advanced diagnostic tests to determine the most appropriate type of treatment for chest wall conditions. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Imaging tests (X-ray, MRI or CT scans)
• Echocardiogram
• Pulmonary function tests.

Surgical Treatment of Chest Wall Conditions

If nonsurgical approaches are not effective, then surgery may be recommended. Treatments range from minimally invasive bracing to complex reconstruction and aim to restore stability and function.

• NUSS procedure: This is a minimally invasive procedure used predominantly for pectus excavatum (a congenital deformity in which the breastbone and adjacent ribs are sunken into the chest). It involves inserting curved metal bars through small incisions and placing them behind the breastbone to push the sternum outward. The bars are kept in place for one to four years.
• Ravitch procedure: A traditional, open surgery to treat pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum (pigeon chest). An incision is made across the chest, abnormal cartilage is removed, and the breastbone is repositioned. A plate may be used to hold the sternum in place.
• Chest wall reconstruction: Resection and reconstruction of the chest wall may be performed to remove tumors or to treat trauma and infections. Titanium plates and screws may be used to rebuild the chest wall if ribs have been removed.
• Rib plating: If severe trauma has occurred and ribs are fractured, the bones are secured with metal plates and screws. This restores stability and eases pain.