BACKGROUND Computer-aided design (CAD) has been used in the Nuss procedure to determine
the bar length and shape. Despite computer aid, the shape and design remain quite
intuitive. We tested a new algorithm to determine the optimal bar shape. MATERIAL
AND METHODS The normal sterno-vertebral distance was defined on computed tomography
(CT) scans of patients without pectus excavatum (PEx) at the same level where the
deepest depression was found on CT scans of 97 patients with PEx. Four points were
marked on the CT scan of 60 patients with PEx at the deepest deformity: P1: edge of
the vertebra; P2: edge of the deformity; P3: the expected contact point of the bar
and the rib; and P4: the expected end of the bar. The algorithm generated 3 circles
upon these points, and the fusion of the arcs drew the line of the ideal bar. Corrected
and normal sterno-vertebral distance values were compared with the Mann-Whitney U
test. Ten bars were bent manually guided by a 1: 1 printout of the designed bar and
were implanted in 10 adolescents. RESULTS The shortest sterno-vertebral distance was
3 cm below the intermammillary line in PEx patients. The normal mean sterno-vertebral
distance at this level was 10.16±1.35 cm in non-PEx patients. The mean virtually corrected
sterno-vertebral distance was 10.28±1.27 cm. No significant difference was found (P=0.44).
The bars were seamless and were successfully implanted. No bar needed adjustment,
the operation time was shorter, and the patient satisfaction score was 9.4/10. CONCLUSIONS
With our new algorithm, an optimal Nuss bar can be designed.
