Samsun City Hospital performs first minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery

Surgeons at Samsun City Hospital have successfully performed the Nuss procedure, a minimally invasive surgery to correct pectus excavatum—commonly known as ‘funnel chest’—for the first time in the region. The operation was performed on 17-year-old Selçuk Avcı, who sought medical attention due to chest pain and a visible indentation in his chest wall.

Led by Associate Professor Selçuk Gürz and Assistant Professor Necmiye Gül Temel, the surgical team inserted two metal bars to lift the sternum and reshape the chest cavity. These bars are expected to remain in place for approximately two and a half to three years before being removed.

Medical professionals noted that while the condition is often treated for cosmetic reasons, it can cause functional issues such as palpitations, fatigue, and chest pain. The team highlighted that minimally invasive techniques offer faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgeries. The hospital plans to continue offering this procedure following the successful outcome.