SILASTIC IMPLANT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF PECTUS EXCAVATUM: AN UPDATE

Twenty-seven patients were operated on for pectus excavatum between 1985 and 1996 and had a custom-made subcutaneous Silastic implant inserted. We have reviewed their medical records to evaluate the clinical course, and used a questionnaire to assess the subjective outcome. There were no major surgical complications. Sixteen of the 27 patients reported improved appearance, and 11 would definitely recommend the operation to other patients under similar circumstances. Increased familiarity with the technique has led to implants with better size and shape, shorter hospital stay, and also to patients being more confident with the outcome. Augmentation with a custom-made Silastic implant is still a simple and straightforward way of concealing the deformity and alleviating the subjective discomfort in patients with pectus excavatum, whose cardiopulmonary function is within the normal range.