Länsman S, Serlo W, Linna O, Pohjonen T, Törmälä P, Waris T, Ashammakhi N.

Background
Pectus excavatum is usually corrected by thoracoplasty using metal plates. Recently bioabsorbabe polylactide plates have been developed.

Purpose
To compare outcome after use of metal and bioasorbable plates in thoracoplasty performed for correction of pectus excavatum.

Methods
Eighty-three children (<16 y old) underwent thoracoplasty (Sulamaa's technique). In 75 patients metallic plates, and in 8 patients self-reinforced poly-L-lactide (SR-PLLA) plates were used. Seven patients in the SR-PLLA group and thirteen patients in the metal plate group were assessed 0.5-13 years postoperatively.

Results
The mean operation time was 121 min in the metal plate group, and 87 min in the SR-PLLA plate group. In the metal plate group, complications were pain due to instability of the metal plates (n=17), wound infection (n=3), recurrence of deformity (n=3), postoperative pain (n=3), pneumothorax (n=1), and non-specific postoperative fever (n=1). In addition, thirteen patients underwent reoperation to refix the position of the metallic plates. In the SR-PLLA group, one case of pneumothorax occurred and plate fragment palpability caused local pain in one patient. Cosmetic results and lung function values were similar.

Conclusions
Our preliminary results show that bioabsorbable plates are a useful option in the treatment of pectus excavatum in children.

Index words
Bioabsorbable; Pectus excavatum; Funnel Chest; Self-reinforced Polylactide; Spirometry; Thoracoplasty