Experimental biomechanical assessment of plate stabilizers for treatment of pectus excavatum.

The paper discusses results of experimental research involving new generation of plate stabilizers used for the treatment of deformation of the front chest wall. Previous clinical monitoring revealed instances of minimal rotation, which caused destabilization of the anastomosis and pain in patients. In order to prevent this, transverse stabilizing plates were introduced to the structure of the stabilizer. The new structure of stabilizers was tested using two specially prepared research posts: 1 – which enables fastening of the plate stabilizers to a platform simulating human ribs, 2 – using a pig chest, to which plates were fastened according to the stabilization conditions in the stabilizer–chest structure. The tests recorded displacement values in selected areas of the plates in response to applied loading forces.