title: Pectus excavatum reconstruction with silicone implants: long-term results and a review of the english-language literature.
abstract: Pectus excavatum, or funnel chest, is an anterior chest wall deformity, characterized by a depressed sternum. Frequently used techniques for pectus excavatum repair are extensive thoracic surgical corrections at a young age. At an adult age, custom-made silicone implants can be used as a less extensive surgical option. Thus far, there are only a limited number of reports in the English-language literature concerning this treatment modality. We evaluated our series of 16 patients treated with custom-made silicone implants, assessing complications, patient satisfaction, and aesthetic outcome. Seven patients (44%) had complications, mostly seroma formation (31%). Ten of 12 patients (83%), who were evaluated at the long-term, reported improved patient satisfaction and 9 of 13 patients (69%), in whom aesthetic results were assessed, had a good or excellent aesthetic outcome.Our study, combined with a review of the English-language literature, demonstrates that there is a place for custom-made silicone implants in the treatment of pectus excavatum, especially in less severe cases at an adult age. Preoperative counseling with emphasis on the likelihood of seroma formation is advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart Jorrit
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Snel
authors.forename: Cees A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Spronk
authors.forename: Paul M N
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Werker
authors.forename: Berend
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van der Lei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005660:Funnel Chest / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D020034:Silicone Gels; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020034:Silicone Gels