Pectus Excavatum Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am perusing further information about your silicone Pectus Excavatum implant surgery. My questions are about the cost of the procedure and other normal questions such as recovery time and the amount of pain those who have the procedure are under. Does the implant go under or above the muscle? Also, how many times have you performed the procedure?

A: Thank you for your pectus excavatum implant inquiry. The cost of the surgery is highly influenced by how the implant is made, whether it is done by a 3D computer design method or a silicone elastomer moulage technique. My assistant will pass along the cost of either approach to the surgery to you next week. Regardless of how the implant is designed, most of it is placed over the depressed sternum where there is no muscle. If any portion of the implant goes beyond the sternal edges it will go on top of the pectoralis major muscle. It can not go under the muscle due to the tight attachment of the pectorals major muscle to the edges of the sternum. This is not a procedure that is associated with much pain. Recovery time is determined by what activity you are trying to recover to do. Most strenuous activities that involve a lot of arm motion and strain should be deferred until 3 to 4 weeks after the procedure to avoid the development of a serums. (fluid collection).

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana