What is a Nuss procedure?
A Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive surgical repair to fix
. People who have this sunken chest issue are candidates for the Nuss procedure instead of an open repair with a larger incision. The procedure uses a titanium bar or bars to push a child’s sunken breastbone out. Bars stay in your chest for three years.
What is the best age for a Nuss procedure?
Children usually have this surgery as teenagers. Surgeons usually don’t do this operation on children younger than 14 years old. There is no upper age limit. Adults can have a Nuss procedure also.
Why is a Nuss procedure done?
A Nuss procedure makes a sunken chest, called pectus excavatum, look better right away. The bar pushes your breastbone forward to flatten your chest. While the bar is in place, it helps your breastbone grow in the right way. This procedure can help your heart or lungs work better than they do prior to surgery.
The Nuss procedure can help with:
How long do Nuss bars stay in?
Your child will have a Nuss procedure bar in their chest for three years. When a surgeon removes the bar, your child will be asleep for the procedure. However, they usually won’t need to stay overnight in the hospital.
What does a Nuss procedure treat?
A Nuss procedure treats pectus excavatum, a condition in which your chest bones didn’t develop right. This is a congenital condition or one you’ve had since birth. One in 1,000 people will develop pectus excavatum.
With pectus excavatum, your breastbone, or sternum, looks sunken or hollow. Also, your ribs may not look even.