Quality of life improves after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.
BACKGROUND
Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity. This deformity may cause physical limitations and psychosocial problems. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum on the quality of life.


METHODS
This study included 88 patients, aged 18.44 ± 3.93 years (85.2% male), who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum; 40.9% had an associated anomaly or disease, and 17.0% had scoliosis. The patients and their parents completed the patient and parent forms of the Nuss questionnaire modified for adults preoperatively and 6 months after the operation.


RESULTS
The patients' median Nuss score increased from 31 (interquartile range 31-35) preoperatively to 43 (interquartile range 43-46) at 6 months after the operation (p = 0.000). The parents' preoperative score of 33 (interquartile range 29-36) increased to 38 (interquartile range 34-41; p = 0.000). Improvements in the physical and psychosocial component scores of the Nuss questionnaire were also significant in the patient (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively) and parent forms (p = 0.005, p = 0.000, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum significantly improved the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of patients. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term changes related to quality of life.
['Kuru|Pinar|P|', 'Bostanci|Korkut|K|', 'Ermerak|Nezih Onur|NO|', 'Bahadir|A Tugba|AT|', 'Afacan|Ceyda|C|', 'Yuksel|Mustafa|M|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D005660:Funnel Chest D006801:Humans D008297:Male D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures D017060:Patient Satisfaction D011788:Quality of Life D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D016896:Treatment Outcome D055815:Young Adult
Quality of life Questionnaires Body image Funnel Chest Patient satisfaction Reconstructive surgical procedures