Novel Nuss Bar Fixation Using ZipFix for Pectus Excavatum

Abstract

Background: Bar displacement is one of the most serious complications following the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum repair. This paper reports a novel method of bar fixation using ZipFix, a biocompatible cable-tie implant, and shares a series of patients and outcomes. Methods: This paper describes the ZipFix stabilisation method and presents a case series of 20 patients with pectus excavatum who underwent the Nuss procedure and ZipFix stabilisation between July 2015 and September 2020. Results: A total of 34 ZipFixes were implanted in 20 patients. Six (6) patients had one ZipFix placed and 14 patients had two ZipFixes implanted: 13 were bilateral and one patient had two ZipFixes placed on the right. There was one incidence of asymptomatic posterior superior displacement of the right bar. Two (2) patients had wound infections and one patient had a previously placed bar adjusted and secured with a ZipFix. All patients had full correction of their chest wall deformity with no recurrence. Conclusions: This case series shows that the use of ZipFix for Nuss bar fixation is feasible using this technique.