The Nuss Procedure & Cryoablation
Advanced, minimally invasive surgical correction for pectus excavatum. Dr. Abdullah combines the proven Nuss Procedure with innovative cryoablation technology for superior results and significantly reduced post-operative pain.
Introduction to the Nuss Procedure
The Nuss Procedure is the gold standard for the surgical correction of moderate to severe pectus excavatum. Developed as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open chest surgery, it effectively reshapes the chest wall from the inside out.
At KIDS Orthopedics and Chest Care, Dr. Fizan Abdullah brings unparalleled expertise to this procedure. Having performed more chest wall surgeries than any other surgeon in the Midwest over the last decade, and collaborating directly with Dr. Donald Nuss (the inventor of the procedure), Dr. Abdullah ensures the highest level of precision, safety, and aesthetic outcome for your child.
How the Nuss Procedure Works
Unlike older, more invasive methods that required cutting and removing cartilage, the Nuss Procedure is minimally invasive.
1. Small
Incisions
Two small incisions are made on either side of the chest.
3. Reshaping the Chest
Once in position, the bar is flipped, instantly pushing the sunken sternum outward into a normal, anatomically correct position.
2. Custom Bar Placement
A custom-curved titanium or stainless steel bar is carefully guided under the sternum (breastbone) using a tiny camera (thoracoscope) for precise visualization.
4. Healing and Removal
The bar acts as an internal brace, holding the chest in its new shape while the cartilage and bones remodel over time. The bar is typically left in place for 2 to 3 years before being removed in a brief, outpatient procedure.
The Game-Changer: Cryoablation for Pain Management
Historically, the most significant challenge of the Nuss Procedure was post-operative pain. Dr. Abdullah has revolutionized the recovery process by integrating Cryoablation (cryoanalgesia) into the surgery.
What is Cryoablation?
During the Nuss Procedure, Dr. Abdullah uses a specialized probe to temporarily freeze the intercostal nerves (the nerves running under the ribs) on both sides of the chest.
The Benefits of Cryoablation
Dramatically Reduced Pain
By temporarily numbing the nerves, patients experience significantly less pain in the days and weeks following surgery.
Shorter Hospital Stays
Patients who receive cryoablation often go home from the hospital much sooner, sometimes within just 1 to 2 days.
Fewer Narcotics
The need for heavy prescription pain medications (opioids) is drastically reduced, lowering the risk of side effects and dependency.
Faster Return to Normalcy
With pain effectively managed, patients can breathe easier, move more comfortably, and return to school and light activities much faster. The nerves naturally regenerate over several months as the chest heals.
Meet Dr. Abdullah
As a national expert in chest wall surgery, Dr. Abdullah is highly skilled in innovative procedures such as the Nuss Procedure. His commitment to advancing specialized chest wall care is underscored by his collaborations with global leaders in the field, including Dr. Donald Nuss and Dr. Park, widely recognized as the world’s highest-volume chest deformity surgeon.
Families travel from across the Midwest and nationally to seek Dr. Abdullah’s mastery, knowing their child is in the hands of a compassionate, top-tier surgical expert.
What Our Patients Are Saying
