Life-Threatening Hemorrhage During Removal of a Nuss Bar Associated With Sternal Erosion

• DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.10.097
• Publication Date: 2014-09-02T05:16:05Z
• Authors: David M. Notrica; Lisa E. McMahon; Kevin N. Johnson; Daniel A. Velez; Leigh C. McGill; Dawn E. Jaroszewski
• Keywords: Sternum; Adolescent; Hemorrhage; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Funnel Chest; Humans; Female; Emergencies; Intraoperative Complications; Bone Plates; Device Removal

We present a case of life-threatening hemorrhage occurring during Nuss bar removal without obvious cardiac or major vascular injury. A 19-year-old woman with marfanoid features had undergone a Nuss procedure 3 years earlier for a pectus index of 7.2. A lateral chest radiograph revealed erosion of the upper bar into the sternum. During surgery, a 3.5-L blood loss occurred after removal of the eroded bar. This case provided many opportunities to improve preparedness for bar removal.