How hard is the recovery from a pectus excavatum repair?

Depends: It all depends on the procedure used. The ravitch is a very extensive procedure which involves a large incision and removal of many cartilaginous ribs. This destabilizes the chest wall. The nuss procedure is less invasive, shorter , and does not destabilize the chest. Both have residual postoperative pain. Most patients are back toi baseline comfort within 3-4 weeks depending on age.