Can I play sports after the NUSS procedure?

Contact sports and martial arts are restricted while the bar is in place. Swimming and running are generally permitted 3-6 months after surgery.

When is the bar removed?

Once the chest cage has adequately remodeled, the bar is typically removed after 2-3 years through a shorter procedure.

Treatments›Chest Wall›NUSS Procedure

NUSS Procedure (Pectus Excavatum)

Minimally invasive bar correction technique for pectus excavatum

Procedure Time

2-3 hours

Hospital Stay

4-5 nights

Recovery

4-6 weeks

Success Rate

90-95%

In Short

In the NUSS procedure, a metallic bar is placed beneath the chest cage through two small incisions. This bar pushes the sunken chest wall outward into a normal position. After 2-3 years, the bar is removed. The chest cage retains its corrected shape.

Who Is a Candidate?

Suitable Candidates

✓ Pectus excavatum diagnosis (Haller index >3.2)
✓ Cardiac or pulmonary compression symptoms
✓ Social/psychological impact (body image)
✓ Age: 10-50 (ideal)

Not Eligible

✗ Severe osteoporosis
✗ Connective tissue disorders (relative contraindication)
✗ Very advanced age (>50 — relative)

How the Procedure Works

1. Two Small Incisions

Two 2-3 cm incisions are made on either side of the chest.

2. Bar Passage

Under thoracoscopic guidance, a bar shaped to the patient's anatomy is passed beneath the sunken area.

3. Bar Flip

The bar is rotated to push the chest cage outward and is secured to the ribs.

4. 2-3 Year Retention

The bar remains until the chest cage has remodeled, then is removed.

Benefits & Expected Outcomes

Excellent cosmetic results
Cardiac compression eliminated
Increased exercise capacity
Improved body image and self-confidence

Risks & Complications

⚠️ As with any medical procedure, there are risks. The following is evidence-based information.

• Bar displacement (2-5%)
• Infection (1-2%)
• Pneumothorax
• Pericarditis (rare)

🧲 MR Conditional — Bar & MRI Compatibility

Most modern bars (especially those made of titanium) are classified as "MR Conditional." This means that the patient can undergo an MRI scan, but only under specific conditions (e.g., maximum 1.5 Tesla, without exceeding a specific SAR [Specific Absorption Rate] limit, and by using specialized sequences). With stainless steel bars, however, avoiding MRI scans until the bar is removed (typically 2 to 3 years) is advised unless it is an emergency, and alternative imaging modalities such as CT (Computed Tomography) are preferred.

Recovery Process

Day 0-3

Pain management, epidural analgesia

Day 4-5

Discharge

Week 2-4

Return to school/desk work

Month 3

Light sports

Month 6

Full activity

Year 2-3

Bar removal procedure

Tests Required for Evaluation

Upload the following documents in your Free Evaluation form for remote candidacy assessment:

✓ Chest CT
✓ Echocardiography
✓ Pulmonary function tests
✓ Full preoperative lab work

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Compare Your Options

Feature	Minimally invasive bar	Open Ravitch
Incision	2 × 2-3 cm	10-15 cm
Recovery	4-6 weeks	6-8 weeks
Bar retention time	2-3 years	None

Patient Experience

I lived with this condition for 18 years. Three months after surgery, I went to the beach for the first time and swam without a shirt.

🇸🇦

Anonymous patient

Saudi Arabia · 19 years old

Frequently Asked Questions

Scientific References

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