Wang technique: A simple and practical steel bar fixation technique in thoracic deformity surgery

Abstract

Minimally invasive thoracic deformity surgery often requires the use of steel bars. After these bars are placed in the chest wall, they need to be firmly fixed. In the past, most of the fixation techniques needed special fixation plates. Although these methods have certain advantages, their disadvantages are more impressive. We have invented a technique specially used for steel bar fixation. This technique is simple, practical and easy to operate. We used it routinely in all kinds of thoracic deformity operations and achieved satisfactory results. In the past few years, we have carried out thoracic deformity surgeries in more than 300 hospitals in China, and this technique is adopted in all our operation. Because of the obvious advantages, it is unanimously recognized by the peers. It has become a popular technique in chest wall surgery circle. In order to better standardize the naming of this technique, we named it Wang technique. In this paper, the specific contents of this technique are introduced in detail through a case of Wung procedure on pectus excavatum.

Saddle chest: A special thoracic deformity

“…The first operation is the Wung procedure [25] . This kind of operation uses special steel bar and technique to support the depressions on both sides through the thoracic cavity [26] . In order to eliminate the depression at the same time, a butterfly-shaped steel bar needs to be used for surgery (Fig 6).…”

Surgical treatment of Wenlin chest after Spinal Orthopedics

“…The upper steel bar was completed for Wenlin procedure, while the lower steel bar for Wung procedure. The fixations of the steel bars were completed with Wang technique [16] . After these operations were completed, drainage tubes were placed in the bilateral thoracic cavities and surgical field, and the incision was closed.…”

Surgical treatment of Wenlin chest

“…The protrusion was compressed with the middle part of the steel bar, and its two ends were fixed on the ribs on both sides. The fixation method of steel bar was that of Wang technique [26] . The depression at the lower part of the sternum and bilateral rib arches were exposed through the median incision.…”