Quantifying Changes in the Thoracic Wall After Nuss Bar Removal in Pectus Excavatum Patients Using 3D Imaging

Quantification of Thoracic Wall Changes Using Three-dimensional Optical Imaging After Nuss Bar Removal

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT07498699

Acronym

CHEST

Enrollment

Registered

2026-03-27

Start date

2020-09-16

Completion date

2025-01-06

Last updated

2026-03-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pectus Excavatum

Brief summary

Pectus excavatum (funnel chest) is the most common congenital anterior thoracic wall deformity. It can be associated not only with cosmetic concerns but also with psychosocial and limiting somatic complaints. Patients with this condition are often treated surgically using the Nuss bar procedure, in which a metal bar is placed behind the sternum to effectively "pop out" the funnel chest. This bar typically remains in place for 2-3 years. To analyze how the thoracic wall changes after removal of the Nuss bar, we aim to capture three-dimensional (3D) images at four different time points: just before removal, immediately after, and at 6 and 12 months post-removal. When significant changes over time are detected, we aim to identify factors that may predict retraction or recurrence. Based on these predictive factors, individualized decision-making regarding the timing of Nuss bar removal can be optimized to minimize the risk of retraction or recurrence.

Interventions

None listed

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Patients of all ages and genders with a Nuss bar eligible for removal.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients in whom the bar or stabilizing components were dislocated * Patients who underwent a second surgery for their pectus excavatum following the initial placement of the Nuss bar * Patients in whom retrosternal metal bars have been placed for any indication other than the treatment of pectus excavatum * Patients with connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome * Patients diagnosed with epilepsy * Patients who are unable to maintain a stationary standing position for approximately 60 seconds

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
External Haller index	just before removal, immediately after, and at 6 and 12 months post-removal.

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results