Pectus Excavatum Surgery Cost

Pectus excavatum surgery costs depend on the type of surgery, the country, and whether you have insurance. For those in the United States, the Nuss procedure commonly ranges from $40,000–$70,000 (including surgeon, hospital, and anaesthesia fees), while the Ravitch procedure typically falls in a similar ballpark. In the UK and other countries with government healthcare, private care is generally cheaper, and the government may cover the cost of surgery when clinically indicated.

Surgical options for Pectus Excavatum

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, doctors often recommend surgery to correct the chest shape. In moderate to severe cases, the sternum can press on the heart and lungs, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and reduced exercise tolerance. The two primary treatment options available are surgery and the Vacuum Bell. Surgical options include the Nuss and Ravitch procedures. Before proceeding with one of these treatments, it is a good idea to understand the costs involved with each option.

What does the Nuss Procedure cost?

The Nuss procedure is the most effective and commonly used surgical procedure 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 heavily on the surgeon's skill. 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 also performing the surgery 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 high, 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 dramatic Vacuum Bell before and after photos on our website.

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 for most patients anymore, as results with the Nuss procedure are often superior to those with the Ravitch procedure, with a lower risk of complications such as regression. Furthermore, because the chest cartilage is not cut or modified during 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.

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.

How much does Vacuum Bell Therapy cost?

Vacuum Bell Therapy is the best non-invasive treatment for Pectus Excavatum recommended by doctors, especially so 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, up to 2 hours, to maintain a flat chest throughout the day.

The Pectus Solutions Vacuum Bell is currently priced at $429USD. We supply medical-grade Vacuum Bell Devices for less than half the cost of a hospital or clinic. Our Pectus service provides devices directly to clients, without from doctor's costs or import fees.

Conclusion

The Nuss Procedure is the best option for treating Pectus Excavatum in moderate-to-severe cases. Both the Nuss and Ravitch surgeries for Pectus Excavatum cost between $35,000 to $70,000 for patients without insurance. There are also risks associated with the surgery, such as infection, bar displacement, fluid accumulation, and severe pain. The cost of Vacuum Bell Therapy for patients seeking a non-surgical option ranges from $400 to $900 for the device, excluding doctors' fees.

References

Zuidema, W.P., Oosterhof, T., van der Steeg, H., et al. (2019). Cost-utility analysis of the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 55(4), 699–705.
Read on Oxford Academic
Krille, S., Muller, A., Steinmann, C., et al. (2020). Safety and outcomes of the Nuss procedure with bilateral thoracoscopy assistance. PLOS ONE.
Read full article (PDF)
Mediglobus (2023). Comprehensive Guide to Nuss Procedure Cost in the UK.
Read on Mediglobus