The Ravitch Procedure With External Rib Plating to Maximize Relief of Cardiac Compression

This is a Ravitch procedure that was modified to maximize the relief of cardiac compression. The usual version of the Ravitch operation involves leaving the lateral ribs in situ, and then passing a bar or mesh between them to lift the sternum. However, this often leaves the ribs pressing against the heart and does not correct the full shape of the chest and restore the oval shape of the anterior chest wall. 

Therefore, the author used external plating to fully correct the anterior chest wall. Straight narrow Stryker plates and sternal elevation were used to achieve this, and this method is demonstrated in this detailed video. 

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