How much does pectus excavatum surgery cost?
Pectus excavatum surgery is generally divided into video-assisted thoracoscopic repair and traditional open surgery, with corresponding costs as follows: video-assisted thoracoscopic repair, 30,000–50,000 RMB per procedure; traditional open surgery, 20,000–40,000 RMB per procedure. Factors influencing the cost of pectus excavatum surgery include severity of the condition, differences in surgical materials, and the surgeon’s experience and qualifications.
Reference information on different pectus excavatum surgical methods and associated costs:
Comparison Item / Procedure |
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Pectus Excavatum Repair |
Traditional Open Surgery |
Reference Price |
30,000–50,000 RMB per procedure |
20,000–40,000 RMB per procedure |
Procedure Principle |
Under thoracoscopic guidance, a specially designed metal bar is inserted from one side of the chest through the retrosternal space to the opposite side. The bar is then rotated to elevate the sunken sternum. |
The surgeon removes part of the deformed costal cartilage, lifts the sternum, and fixes it in the correct anatomical position. Reshaping of the thoracic cage may also be required. |
Applicable Population |
Suitable for most patients with pectus excavatum |
Suitable for older patients with severe pectus excavatum deformity and nearly mature skeletal development |
Recovery Period |
3–4 months |
3–6 months |
Duration of Support |
3–5 years |
8–10 years |
Risks |
1. Foreign body reaction (rejection) |
1. Risk of infection |
Analysis of Influencing Factors:
1. Severity of Condition: Patients with milder conditions may require only simple corrective procedures or fewer materials, resulting in relatively lower surgical costs. In contrast, patients with deep sternal depression and complex, severe thoracic deformities may need multiple bars or advanced surgical techniques, increasing overall costs.
2. Material Differences: Imported high-quality, highly biocompatible bars are typically much more expensive than domestically produced materials. While imported materials may offer advantages in design, quality, and durability, they also significantly increase the total cost of the procedure.
3. Surgeon Experience and Qualifications: Surgeons with extensive experience and high reputation in thoracic surgery may charge higher fees for their services.
After pectus excavatum surgery, proper wound care is essential. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise, protect the chest from impact, and perform prescribed breathing exercises. If complications such as infection, bleeding, organ injury, bar displacement or rejection, under-correction, or over-correction occur, immediate medical attention is required.
