Acquired scoliosis following Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jan;98(1):e13855. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000013855.

Abstract

Rationale: Nuss procedure is a safe and popular minimally invasive surgical technique for the correction of pectus excavatum in adolescents. Acquired scoliosis over 50 degrees after Nuss procedure has never been reported.

Patient concerns: A 14-year-old boy was referred to pediatric surgery for pectus excavatum deformity. He underwent a successful Nuss procedure. At follow up, the patient was noted having an asymmetric back whole spine X-ray showed a right-sided thoracic curve with a Cobb angle of 54 degrees.

Interventions and outcomes: We obtained a satisfactory result by removing the pectus bar and prescribing the patient a brace.

Lessons: This report demonstrates that the spine should be evaluated routinely before and after Nuss procedure. Besides, spinal fusion is not recommended for acquired scoliosis following pectus excavatum surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Funnel Chest / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Scoliosis / etiology*