“When to Nuss? patient age as a risk factor for complications of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum: a systematic review and meta-analysis”

Systematic review of 5,978 patients demonstrates that older age significantly increases complication risk for minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair (MIRPE), with patients ≥18 years showing 1.66 times higher odds of complications including pneumothorax, bar displacement, and need for reoperation. Evidence supports performing Nuss procedure before late adolescence to optimize outcomes.