Why is the Ravitch procedure no longer performed or recommended for pectus excavatum in the world today?
The Ravitch procedure, which was used in the past to treat pectus excavatum, is now almost never performed or recommended in leading thoracic and thoracic surgery centers around the world.
The main reason for this is that the Ravitch procedure is an open, highly traumatic and invasive surgical method.
During this procedure:
❌ A large incision is made in the front of the chest
❌ Extensive intervention is made in the costal cartilages and chest structures
❌ The natural anatomy of the chest is disrupted
❌ The operation usually lasts 5–6 hours
❌ Pain and recovery time are longer
❌ Aesthetic and functional results may not always be ideal
❌ The likelihood of recurrence of the deformity may be higher