Exercise performance testing in patients with pectus excavatum before and after Nuss procedure.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the changes in lung function and exercise performance due to minimal invasive pectus repair.


METHODS
Fifty-nine patients with an average age of 16 years were included in this prospective investigation. After determination of body mass index (BMI) and body fat patients were subjected to pre-OP, post-OP and post-implant removal spirometry and bicycle ergospirometry. Forced vital capacity (FVC), performance capacity (PC) and relative oxygen uptake were determined.


RESULTS
Post-OP FVC significantly decreased from 91% of normal value to 79%, but again increased to 88% after implant removal. PC showed a significant reduction (105-97% of normal value). Likewise, the relative oxygen uptake showed a significant decrease (43.8-42.2 ml/kg per min). These findings correlated to a significant increase of BMI and body fat. When calculating oxygen uptake per kilogram lean body weight, there were no significant changes (49.8 to 49.8 ml/kg per min).


CONCLUSIONS
Pectus repair resulted in a temporary reduction of FVC, which resolved after implant removal. The drop in oxygen uptake and PC could be related to a significant increase of BMI and body fat. According to our data pectus repair is not followed by improvements in lung function and exercise performance.
Castellani
Christoph
C
Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 34, 8036, Graz, Austria. christoph.castellani@medunigraz.at
Windhaber
J
J
Schober
P H
PH
Hoellwarth
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005660:Funnel Chest / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D013147:Spirometry; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult