Open repair of pectus excavatum using polypropylene mesh in adolescents

Backround: To evaluate early and mid-term outcomes after open repair of moderate to severe pectus excavatum (PE) in adolescents using polypropylene mesh for sub-sternal support.Methods: This retrospective study included 30 adolescents (26 males and 4 females) who had moderate to severe PE and underwent open repair using multi-layers sheet of Prolene® polypropylene mesh at our institution. The mean age at operation was 14.77 years (13–18 years). Surgery was indicated for Haller index (HI) greater than 3.25 associated with progressive symptoms.Results: There were no major complications requiring further surgery. Minor wound discharge occurred in 2 patients (6.7%) that resolved with medical treatment. Median follow-up period was 30 months (18–45 months). The cosmetic results were excellent in 73.3%, good in 23.3% and fair in 3.3%. There were no cases with mid-term recurrence of PE.Conclusion: Primary open repair of moderate to severe PE with multiple bands of Prolene® polypropylene mesh in adolescents has satisfactory early and mid-term clinical and cosmetic results