The Wang procedure has become a significant advancement in the treatment of chest wall deformities. Developed by Dr. Wenlin Wang, this surgical approach focuses on correcting pectus excavatum and other complex chest wall deformities with precision and safety. Unlike the Nuss procedure, the Wang procedure avoids intrathoracic placement of the bar. Instead, the bar is positioned externally on the sunken chest wall, and the depressed bones are lifted and fixed to it with steel wires, thereby preventing cardiac injury. This approach provides more precise control over chest wall remodeling, enhances surgical safety, reduces the risk of bar displacement, and ensures stable, long-term correction. The Institute of Chest Wall Surgery (ICWS) employs this procedure to provide patients with minimally invasive options that allow quicker recovery and less post-operative discomfort.
The Surgical Approach and Technique
In the Wang procedure, a bar is placed directly over the chest wall bones. Surgeons then use steel wires to lift the depressed sternum and costal cartilages until the chest wall aligns with the bar. This method eliminates the use of lever principles common in other procedures and ensures the chest shape is precisely restored. The Institute of Chest Wall Surgery (ICWS) uses this approach for infants and children, with patients as young as one month old, and is not suitable as a standalone correction for adult pectus excavatum, where it is typically used in combination with other surgical approaches as an adjunct. This broad age applicability overcomes the age limitation of the Nuss procedure, which typically requires patients with pectus excavatum to be at least five years old before surgery.
Clinical Expertise and Patient Benefits
Dr. Wenlin Wang and his team have performed over 10,000 chest wall surgeries, leading his team to achieve a wealth of clinical experience. The Wang procedure offers higher safety, less trauma, and better correction outcomes, making it suitable for patients below the age of five. Through The Institute of Chest Wall Surgery (ICWS), patients benefit from personalized surgical planning and procedures that address both common and complex chest wall deformities.
Conclusion
By implementing the Wang procedure, The Institute of Chest Wall Surgery (ICWS) delivers precise, minimally invasive, and safe surgical solutions. With expertise from Dr. Wenlin Wang, the procedure continues to provide effective treatment for pectus excavatum and other chest wall conditions, demonstrating its value in modern thoracic care.
