Does Aggressive Respiratory Rehabilitation after Primary Nuss Procedure Improve Pulmonary Function?

Nonrandomized controlled study of 34 patients demonstrates that aggressive respiratory rehabilitation with incentive spirometry starting day 5 post-Nuss procedure significantly improves inspiratory volume at 3 months compared to controls (1404 vs 900 ml, p<0.05). Early postoperative respiratory training appears effective for accelerating pulmonary recovery after pectus excavatum repair.