The Nuss Procedure Versus the Modified Ravitch Repair for Pectus Excavatum in Adults

Repair of pectus excavatum in the adult population remains a relatively rare surgical procedure. The Modified Ravitch and the Nuss procedures are the two most common surgical techniques to repair pectus excavatum. Unfortunately, the paucity of comparative trials, especially randomized trials, makes it impossible to determine if either technique is superior. It is imperative that surgeons who are counseling adult patients on treatment of pectus excavatum be familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of both techniques.