Does the use of locking plates or mesh and wires influence the risk of symptomatic non-union of the sternal osteotomy after modified Ravitch?

Background: Patients with pectus excavatum which is unsuitable for minimally invasive repair are usually treated by modified Ravitch procedure. For fixation of the sternal osteotomy, mesh and wires are mostly used. To decrease non-union risk, we introduced a technique with double locking plate fixation of the osteotomy and compared this to fixation using mesh and wires.

Methods: Patients undergoing a modified Ravitch procedure for pectus excavatum between 2006 and 2016 were included. From 2006 to 2012, the sternum was fixated with mesh and wires. From 2012 to 2016, locking compression plates (LCP) were used. Baseline parameters, symptomatic non-union and total number of complications were retrospectively compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney or Fisher's exact test. Data are presented as means +/- SD.

Results: Forty-four patients were included. In 18 patients, the sternum was fixed with mesh and wires, in 26 patients with LCP. Mean follow-up was 35 months in the mesh and 30 months in the LCP group, P=0.71. Haller index was similar in both groups (mesh 3.8±1.3 vs. LCP 3.9±1.1, P=0.81). Symptomatic non-union occurred in 17% (n=3) in the mesh group and did not occur after LCP, P=0.062. Total number of complications was 33% (n=6) in the mesh group and 15% (n=4) after LCP, P=0.27.

Conclusions: After modified Ravitch procedure, union of the sternal osteotomy is challenging. In this retrospective cohort study, a lower incidence of symptomatic non-union was observed after fixation of the sternum with LCPs, with a trend towards statistical significance.