Surgical treatment of pectus excavatum with the Nuss procedure

The optimal age for surgical correction is 13–16 years, when the chest wall is still pliable. However, we also successfully perform these surgeries on adult patients, even those 50+ years old.

The Nuss procedure is major surgery and, like any operation, carries certain risks. These risks are reduced by thorough preoperative assessment, correct patient selection, the surgeon's experience and video-thoracoscopic control while the bar is being placed.

According to his own records and internal audit of the outcomes of operations personally performed by Professor Iakiv Fishchenko since 2007, the complication rate is below 4% and the recurrence rate is below 1%. These figures are internal clinical statistics. Individual risk depends on the patient's age, the severity and asymmetry of the deformity, chest wall elasticity, comorbidities and adherence to postoperative recommendations.

Whether surgery is possible and advisable is decided only after the examinations have been reviewed and the surgeon has been consulted.

The surgery is performed personally by Professor Iakiv Vitaliiovych Fishchenko — Doctor of Medical Sciences, orthopaedic trauma surgeon, neurosurgeon and a leading specialist in the surgical treatment of chest wall deformities.

Professor Fishchenko has been performing Nuss procedures since 2007. His personal experience exceeds 2,000 operations in adolescents and adults. The surgical plan is drawn up individually, taking into account age, the shape and asymmetry of the deformity, chest wall elasticity and the position of the internal organs.

Surgeries are carried out at the State Institution «National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the NAMS of Ukraine».

More about Professor Iakiv Fishchenko and his experience in treating pectus excavatum.

Professor Iakiv Fishchenko has personally been performing surgical treatment of pectus excavatum since 2007.

As of 2026, he has personally performed more than 2,000 Nuss procedures. Each year the professor performs approximately 100–120 such operations. His experience covers adolescent and adult patients, including complex, asymmetric and rigid chest wall deformities.

These figures are the personal internal statistics of Professor Iakiv Fishchenko, based on his own records of the operations performed.

View detailed information about the surgeon, his experience and scientific publications.

Yes. The Nuss procedure is an internationally recognised minimally invasive technique for the surgical correction of pectus excavatum. Its outcomes, indications, possible complications and the specifics of its use in different age groups are described in the scientific literature.

Professor Iakiv Fishchenko not only applies this method but also takes part in research on the outcomes of surgical treatment of pectus excavatum. He is a co-author of the paper «Our experience of using Nuss thoracoplasty as a method of correcting pectus excavatum», which analyses the treatment outcomes of 97 patients.

• scientific publication on the Nuss procedure;
• ORCID of Professor Iakiv Fishchenko;
• official profile on the Institute website.

The Nuss procedure usually takes 30–50 minutes, depending on the complexity of the deformity.

After the surgery patients stay in the hospital for 5–7 days.

Thanks to modern pain-relief methods and epidural anesthesia, pain is well controlled. Patients can self-regulate the level of analgesia using an epidural pump.

Yes, but with a gradual return:

• Light physical activity can be started after 3–4 months.
• Gym — no earlier than 3 months.
• Swimming pool — after 3 months.
• Physical education classes are recommended to be limited for 10–12 months.

Within 3–4 weeks after surgery (provided there is no heavy physical activity).

Scars after the Nuss procedure are minimal — two small 3 cm incisions on the sides of the chest that become almost invisible over time.

The bar is removed after 3 years, since during that time a stable chest wall forms. Earlier removal increases the risk of recurrence (up to 16%), while too-late removal complicates the surgery.

Yes, our clinic has developed a special rehabilitation program for patients after PE correction. The first physical exercises are allowed after 6 weeks, but all activity must be approved by the rehabilitation specialist.

Independent driving is allowed 3–4 weeks after the surgery.

In the first days after surgery, light food is recommended (broths, porridges, low-fat kefir). Fried or fatty dishes, raw vegetables and fruits should be avoided for 2–3 days until the gastrointestinal tract returns to normal.

Flights are allowed 2 weeks after the surgery, when the risk of complications is minimal.

No, in most cases a metal detector frame does not react to the bar used for correction of pectus excavatum.

✔ Why?

• The bar is made of medical steel or titanium, which have low magnetic permeability and do not trigger most metal detectors.
• Airport and industrial detectors are usually tuned to find weapons or large metal objects, so the bar is too small to trigger a reaction.

✔ What to do if the metal detector goes off?

• In rare cases, some sensitive security systems may react.
• If this happens, you will be additionally checked for weapons. Documents and certificates are not required.

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📞 Phone for appointments: (094) 821-08-30 (Olena Ihorivna).