Fig. 3 A and B) To correct the pectus excavatum deformity, the abnormal cartilages were excised bilaterally, beneath the perichondrium. The periosteum of the each sternal bar was then incised on its lateral border, creating flaps that were sutured together in the midline with absorbable sutures. C) The 2 sternal bars were approximated with nonabsorbable sutures.