Pectus Excavatum Surgery Cost
Pectus Excavatum is a congenital condition that causes the breastbone to sink inwards creating an indent in the chest. For individuals with moderate to severe cases, surgery is often recommended by doctors to correct the chest shape. In moderate to severe cases, the sternum can put pressure on the heart and lungs, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and low exercise tolerance. The two primary treatment options available are surgery and the Vacuum Bell. Surgery includes both the Nuss procedure and the Ravitch procedure. Before proceeding with one of these treatments it is a good idea to understand the costs involved with each treatment.
What does the Nuss Procedure cost?
The Nuss procedure is the most effective and often used surgery to correct Pectus Excavatum. During the surgery, a curved metal bar is inserted under the sternum before being flipped to push the chest out to a normal shape. The bar stays inside the patient for 3-4 years while the chest hardens to the new shape. It is then removed in a second surgery.
The cost of the Nuss procedure in the USA typically ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 USD. This includes surgeon fees, hospital fees, anaesthesia, and an average 3-day hospital stay.
Results are usually good to excellent but depend highly on the skill of the surgeon. Because of this, you should see a surgeon who is highly experienced and has a great reputation for their work. In previous years, the Nuss procedure was typically only recommended for children and adolescents, but now, experienced surgeons are performing the surgery also on older patients with excellent results.
Whilst the Nuss procedure has a high success rate, one major consideration for patients is the cost of treatment, which can be significant, especially for those without insurance.
The Nuss procedure is life-changing if you have Pectus, but it is expensive like all major surgeries. Although costs can be significant, the long-term benefits often outweigh the monetary expense, especially if you have a moderate to severe case of Pectus Excavatum. You can check out some of the dramatic before and afters in places like Reddit.
Ravitch Procedure cost
The Ravitch Procedure first involves a surgeon making an incision along the sternum, before physically cutting and removing excess cartilage from the chest and attaching it back together. A small bar is then inserted to maintain the new position, which is usually removed after one year.
The cost of the Ravitch Procedure in the US is approximately $35,000 to $70,000. However, the surgery is usually not recommended anymore for most patients, as results with the Nuss procedure are often superior to the Ravitch with less risk of complications such as regression. Furthermore, as the chest cartilage is not being cut or modified in the Nuss Procedure, any follow-up surgeries are much easier to perform in the rare case of a failed initial treatment.
If your doctor is recommending the Ravitch Procedure you should also see an experienced Pectus Excavatum specialist for a 2nd opinion. In most cases, other than highly unusual or asymmetrical Pectus Excavatum, the Nuss Procedure produces better results with fewer risks.
How much does a Vacuum Bell cost?
There are also risks associated with major surgery to consider before deciding on a Pectus Excavatum treatment plan. Most experienced Pectus specialists will not recommend surgery unless the patient has a medium to severe case. This is because the risks associated with major surgery are often not worth taking for purely cosmetic reasons. Some of these risks include: infection, accumulation of fluid around the lungs, displacement of the metal bar, and severe pain.
The cost of a Pectus Solutions Vacuum Bell is currently priced at 429 USD.
Vacuum Bell Therapy is the best non-invasive treatment which is recommended by doctors, especially for mild and cosmetic cases. The device consists of a silicone bowl with a small hand pump that is placed over the chest to create negative pressure. The vacuum then lifts the chest to a normal position over around 30 minutes. The Vacuum Bell is typically used daily for 30 minutes and up to 2 hours to maintain a flat chest throughout the day.
Conclusion
The Nuss Procedure is the best option for treating Pectus Excavatum in moderate to severe cases. Both the Nuss and Ravitch surgery for Pectus Excavatum cost between $35,000 to $70,000 for those without insurance. There are also risks associated with the surgery such as infection, bar displacement, fluid accumulation, and severe pain. For this reason, Vacuum Bell Therapy is usually the recommended option for patients with milder and cosmetic Pectus Excavatum.