Internal Thoracic Artery Patency Before and After Insertion of Specially Designed Pectus Bar

Abstract

Objective: Blood flow in internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) may become blocked in patients who have had minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPEx). Aim of this study was to investigate patency of ITAs in patients who underwent MIRPEx with pectus bars that were specially designed to protect ITAs. Methods:Total of 22 patients over the age of 16 years who were to undergo correction of pectus excavatum (PEx) were included in this study. Patients with previous surgical intervention for PEx were excluded. Computed tomography-angiography (CTA) of the thorax was performed preoperatively on all patients to evaluate ITA blood flow. MIRPEx procedure included use of specially designed bars in all cases. On postoperative 10 th day, follow-up CTA of the thorax was performed. Pre-and postoperative CTAs were compared to determine any effect of bars on ITAs.Results: Study group comprised 19 male patients and 3 female patients; mean age was 18.81±2.48 years (range: 16-23 years). Blood flow was not affected in 18 patients (88.8%) and was unilaterally blocked in 4 patients (18.2%) after the operation. Conclusion:Results demonstrate that only 1 in 5 patients had unilateral ITA occlusion following MIRPEx with uniquely designed bar.