Modification of thoracoscopy in pectus excavatum: insertion of both thoracoscope and introducer through a single incision to maximise visualisation.

Our modification of the Nuss procedure includes insertion of both the introducer and the thoracoscope through the same skin incision, which enables continuous visualisation of the tip of the introducer during blunt dissection across the mediastinum. From January 2001 to January 2005 we studied 32 consecutive patients whose ages ranged from 3 to 30 years. They had all undergone the modified procedure. The mean operating time was 1 hour 44 minutes ( range 43 minutes - 4 hours 20 minutes). Blood loss was less than 10 ml. There were no intraoperative bleeding complications. The modification that we devised may minimise the risk of cardiothoracic and vascular injuries and the procedure is safe.