Experience with a simple technique for pectus bar removal

Background: There 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. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing bar removal after repair of pectus excavatum at our institution from August 2000 to March 2010 was performed. Results: There 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. Conclusions: Removal of pectus bars using this 2-table T-configuration technique is safe, is time efficient, and obviates the need for bending the bar. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.