The operation for correction starts with general anesthesia and the placement of an epidural catheter for the management of pain after the operation. Two lateral incisions are made on either side of the chest for insertion of a curved steel bar under the sternum. A separate, small lateral incision is made to allow for a thorascope (small camera) for direct visualization as the bar is passed under the sternum. The bar is individually curved for each patient. The bar is used to pop out the depression. It is then fixed to the ribs on either side and the incisions are closed and dressed. A small steel, grooved plate may be used at the end of the bar to help stabilize and fix the bar to the rib. The bar is not visible from the outside and stays in place for a minimum of two years. When it is time, the bar is removed as an outpatient procedure.

Reference: The Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
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The Nuss Technique, also known as the “Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum” (MIRPE), uses principles of minimal-access surgery and thoracoscopy combined with the proper placement of a Lorenz Pectus Bar to achieve correction of Pectus Excavatum.

THE LORENZ PECTUS SYSTEM

The Lorenz Pectus Bar’s rounded ends and blunt edges discourage tissue destruction during implant insertion.
The Lorenz Pectus Bar comes in a variety of lengths ranging from 7 inches (17.8 cm) to 17 inches (43.2 cm) to accommodate most Pectus Excavatum correction procedures.
All instruments in the Lorenz Pectus System are designed to increase simplicity during the Nuss Procedure.
The Pectus System Storage Container conveniently houses the entire range of Lorenz Pectus implants and instruments.

Reference: Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc., http://www.lorenzsurgical.com/PE_correction_DE.html