Overview
The Willine procedure is a hybrid procedure that integrates the surgical technique of the Nuss procedure and the Wenlin procedure, allowing for the simultaneous correction of both depression and protrusion with only one single bar. The Willine procedure offers significant advantages, including minimally invasive approach, enhanced safety, simplicity in operation and remarkable outcome.
Surgical Technique
1. Make an incision on each side of the chest wall, then create steel bar tunnels on each side. The tunnel on the convex side is constructed on the bony structure, while the tunnel on the concave side is constructed under the bony structure, within the chest cavity. These two tunnels converge alongside the sternum on the concave side.
2. Insert a custom-made bar into the tunnel, first elevating the depression, then compressing the protrusion on the opposite side.
3. Secure the ends of the bar, suture the incisions, and complete the surgery.
