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These data demonstrate for the first time that the use of an alternate pain management strategy including, narcotics, NSAIDs, and methocarbamol, but without epidural catheters, results in reduced hospital length of stay and decreased overall hospitalization costs for MIRPE, as compared with open pectus repair. This cost benefit was achieved without compromising pain management or patient satisfaction with surgical care.

The lateral abdominal approach for laparoscopic evaluation of the contralateral groin is safe and accurate, requiring no additional incisions. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine the true false-negative rate.