An Effect of Nuss Procedure on Lung Function Among Patients with Pectus Excavatum

The aim of the studywas to evaluate lung function among patients who underwent Nuss Procedure. The analysis included spirometric evaluation of the lung function before Nuss Procedure, during perioperative period and after removing steel bars from behind the sternum. Material and methods.The study group involved patients operated on the pectus excavatum in the Department of Thoracic Surgery in Poznań in years 2002-2004. The study group consisted of 44 patients (5 females and 39 males). Aged between 10 to 32 years old, the mean age was 16. The following spirometric parameters were analysed: vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), FEV1/VC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow for 25% (FEF25), 50% (FEF50) and 75% FVC (FEF75). Results.The values of the FVC, FEV1, FEF25, and FEV1/VC ratio in the study group were significantly higher in the postoperative period in comparison with the preoperative period. There was a statistically significant correlation between the improvement in spirometric parameters after Nuss Procedure and the impairment of spirometric values in preoperative period. There were no statistical differences between the value of initial chest deformation and spirometric parameters improvement. There were also no statistically significant correlations between age, height and weight of the patient in the study group and spirometric values improvement. Conclusion.There is a statistical improvement in lung function in patients who underwent Nuss Procedure. The improvement in spirometric parameters correlates with the impairment of spirometric values in the preoperative period.