Life-threatening complication of the Nuss-procedure for funnel chest - A case report

This report is the first description of an additional major complication seen with the Nuss repair. In addition to the conventional Rehbein and Ravitch operations for funnel chest, the minimally invasive procedure developed by Nuss has recently been added to the therapeutic options. The present report describes the case of a 21-year-old man who underwent a Nuss repair with implantation of 2 pectus bars 4 months previously. During the primary operation the central tendon of the left diaphragm was unnoticed injured. We performed an emergency operation on the patient to repair an incarcerated diaphragmatic hernia. The thorax was found to contain not only the entire, twisted stomach, but also the transverse colon and the spleen. During induction of anaesthesia the patient suffered a cardiovascular collapse. After successful resuscitation, thoraco-abdominal surgery was performed and the diaphragm closed from the thoracic side. Other authors have also reported major life-threatening complications of the Nuss-procedure, such as perforation of the heart. A careful evaluation of this procedure and the establishment of clear indications taking the age of the patient, the thoracic deformity and connective tissue disease into account, are mandatory to avoid discredit of this method.