Asymmetric Pectus Carinatum as Sequela of Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Repair

Abstract

A very rare complication of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, the development of pectus carinatum, was recently reported. This is an unexpected sequela that was never described when the method of Ravitch was used to repair pectus excavatum.

We describe a similar case. However, in contrast to the symmetric pectus carinatum noted by Hebra et al., a very asymmetric hump of the anterior thorax, limited to the right side, developed in our patient, with extremely unappealing cosmetic consequences. The cause appears to have been an overly tight bar resulting from fast growth during puberty.