After Pectus Excavatum Repair

What is it?

This means an abnormal growth of cartilage in the chest has caused the sternum to appear sunken. To fix it, a surgeon inserts a metal bar called a Nuss Bar into the chest. This corrects the deformity. This bar remains in place for 2 years.

What should I expect after surgery?

• You will get pain medicine as follows:

  • MS Contin 15mg twice a day or Oxycontin 10mg twice a day

  • Percocet 5/325 1 or 2 every 4-6 hours as needed for pain

  • Scheduled dose of Motrin 3 times daily. 

• You will need to take an over the counter stool softener while taking pain meds. We recommend Senokot or Milk of Magnesia.

• No strenuous activity for 6 weeks.

• Avoid activities that could twist the upper chest. Examples are contact sports and gymnastics. 

• No tub baths or swimming for 1 week. You may shower daily.

• There are sutures that dissolve under your skin. When the steri-strips fall off, the incision may feel hard or knotted. This is normal. Sometimes a knot from the stitch will be outside on the skin. This will fall off like a scab.  

When do I follow up with the doctor?

When should I call the doctor?

Call the doctor if your have any of these:

• Breathing problems get worse

• Incision is red or swollen after 3 to 5 days

• A fever over 101° for 6 to 12 hours that does not go down after a dose of Tylenol

• Worse pain at the surgery site

• Tearing or burning pain

• Blood run from under the bandage

• Fluid that smells bad drains from the incision

Weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call the Pediatric Surgery Clinic at (859) 323-5625. Nights, weekends, and holidays, call UK Hospital at (859) 323-5321 and ask for the Pediatric Surgery Resident on call.