Overview
The Wenlin procedure, pioneered by Dr. Wenlin Wang, is an innovative surgical technique specifically designed for treating pectus carinatum. Compared with the Abramson procedure — the traditional surgical technique for pectus carinatum, the Wenlin procedure shows significant differences in operative details. More importantly, the Wenlin procedure incorporates multiple innovative surgical techniques and concepts, such as the “Wang Technique”, a method for securing the bars, alongside the "Pre-shaping" concept, an approach that involves releasing and shaping the protruding bony structure prior to bar shaping.
Consequently, the Wenlin procedure effectively circumvents the drawbacks and risks of the Abramson procedure. In comparison, the Wenlin procedure offers benefits including smaller trauma, better correction results, safer and simpler operation, shorter postoperative recovery periods, as well as a lower incidence of complications.
Surgical Technique
1. Make an incision of about 2 cm on each side of the chest wall.
2. Insert 2 steel wires through the incisions on each side of the chest wall, passing them around the ribs and pulling them out.
3. Place 2 pre-shaped bars on the surface of the protruding chest wall.
4. Press the middle part of the bars with one hand, then use the steel wires to pull the bony structure on both sides outwards, gradually reducing the central protrusion until the contour of the chest wall aligns with the bars.
5. Secure the ends of the bars to the ribs on both sides of the chest wall, suture the incisions, and conclude the surgery.
