Improvement of tracheal compression after pectus excavatum repair.

A 4-year-old girl with pectus excavatum (PE), multiple prior respiratory infections, tracheomalacia and tracheal compression due to the innominate artery was referred for surgical evaluation. Aortopexy was deemed unlikely to improve airway diameter due to her chest concavity. Thoracoscopy-assisted PE repair was performed, resulting in marked improvement in the anteroposterior diameter of the trachea and resolution of her respiratory symptoms. Durability of the PE correction at 2 and 7 years following bar removal was demonstrated radiographically.