Ricerc@Sapienza

The most common anterior chest wall deformities are pectus excavatum (88%) and pectus carinatum (5%). Pectus excavatum is characterized by sternal depression with corresponding leftward displacement and rotation of the heart. Pectus carinatum exhibits a variety of chest wall protrusions and very diverse clinical manifestations. The cause of these conditions is thought to be abnormal elongation of the costal cartilages. Collagen, as a major structural component of rib cartilage, is implicated by genetic and histologic analysis.
Surgical correction technique and timing for congenital chest wall deformities in pediatric and adult patients varies from Institution to Institution. For adult patients affected by pectus excavatum or carinatum, the conventional surgical technique (Modified Ravitch technique) includes the implatation of a retro-sternal metal bar to secure the corrected sternal position. However, the implantation of the metal bar requires a second surgical step to remove the device after 7-12 months form the first operation.
The aim of the project is to develop a bioresorbable plate for Chest Wall deformities repair surgery and evaluate the clinical performance of the new surgical treatment based on the newly developed bioresorbable plate.
We intend to achieve our goal by accomplishing the following specific aims:
1. Provide design inputs derived from intra-operative biomechanical testing of strength to develop a chest wall deformities reabsorbable plate.
2. Produce the chest wall deformities reabsorbable implantable bar for the clinical study.
3. Assess the ability of the new chest wall deformities plate to reabsorb and to guarantee an effective corrective results.