台灣漏斗胸(凹胸)病友協會

1.

Dear Professor Robicsek,

Thank you so much for your comment. The nuggets of advice are engraved in my mind.

I know what you are worrying about. And I agree that it is not an option if a surgical technique places the patients’ lives in jeopardy.

However, I would like to tell you this fact, based on my experience and other specialists’ around the world through the past decade: the Nuss repair of PE is extremely safe and just nice and simple for de novo pectus patients who have no adhesions or other obstacles. If we follow the line correctly, we will enjoy the full benefits of chest wall integrity.

The case I described and problematic cases of others are all complicated ones than a pure PE. I have been trying to be ready for any challenges that I might meet during the procedure, and fortunately, I have no mortality or morbidity causing any serious disability. In cases of PE with a previous other operation, if we sensibly utilize the existing midline incision, we would be able to stay safe.

Among others, the major difference between Ravitch and Nuss is cartilage resection: namely, "Resection vs. Remodeling." I would like to preserve the cartilages intact; try not to cut them away. I think they are innocent but just arranged in a wrong direction for some reason. Thus, I would like to lead them grow to the right direction and let them do their jobs until the end of their lives.

It has been great to talk with you on this pro-con. Thank you again for your words of wisdom.

Sincerely,

Hyung Joo Park, MD, PhD, FCCP

Professor and Chairman

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital

College of Medicine, The Catholic University

Seoul, South Korea

2.

Because of sever adhesios after sternotomy and redo operation ,Ravich procedure in this age is the safest method in this patient

Professor M. Aghajanzade, MD