Magnet Mini-Mover Device

The magnet mini-mover device is used to gradually correct the structural affects of pectus excavatum. Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital deformity of the anterior chest wall in which several ribs as well as the sternum grow abnormally creating a caved-in or sunken chest appearance. Surgery using the Ravitch technique or Nuss procedure uses a temporary steel bar(s) placed horizontally across the chest beneath the sternum to correct the deformity. These surgeries which greatly alter the structural aspects of the body within an extremely small time frame have harsh impacts on the body, even more so on younger patients. The magnet mini-mover procedure uses two magnets, one attached to a removable breast plate worn on the outside of the body and one implanted on the sternum, to gradually move the chest wall out. This procedure takes up to a year to correct the deformity and then the implanted magnet is removed in an outpatient procedure. This method is geared towards children because of its flexible qualities. The surgical implantation takes about a half hour with the patient under brief general anesthesia and is also an outpatient procedure. The child can resume normal activity the next day. The breast plate can also be removed when bathing or sleeping or if otherwise needed (but should be worn as much as possible).

http://pedsurg.ucsf.edu/research/magnetic-mini-mover-trial-study.aspx#a1