Body measurement changes in adults with pectus excavatum after the Nuss procedure: A study of 272 patients

Background: Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital abnormality of the chest wall. Most patients with pectus excavatum have slim bodies. Some studies have been conducted on the physical growth of children and adolescents who underwent the Nuss procedure. This study aimed to evaluate body measurement changes in adult patients with pectus excavatum after the Nuss procedure. Methods A total of 272 adult pectus excavatum patients, who underwent the Nuss procedure and pectus bars removal from August 2014 to December 2020, were evaluated retrospectively. Body measurements [body height, body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI)] of the patients were collected before Nuss repair and after bar removal. Associations between changes in body measurements and clinical and radiological features were evaluated. Results BW and BMI were significantly increased after pectus bar removal compared to preoperative parameters (62.3 ± 9.7 kg vs 60.8 ± 8.3 kg, P < 0.01 and 20.4 ± 2.6 vs 20.1 ± 2.4, P = 0.01, respectively). In further analysis, young males (< 30 years, n = 226) or those with more severe deformity (Haller index in CT ≥ 4, n = 104), had a significant improvement in BW and BMI (62.2 ± 8.9 kg vs 60.1 ± 7.1 kg, P < 0.01 and 20.4 ± 2.6 vs 19.9 ± 2.1, P < 0.01; 62.9 ± 9.7 kg vs 60 ± 8.3 kg, P < 0.01 and 20.5 ± 2.6 vs 20 ± 2.4, P < 0.01, respectively) after removal of the bar. Conclusions BW and BMI were significantly increased after completing surgical correction of pectus excavatum using the Nuss procedure, in young adult males or patients with more pronounced deformities.