Ba­ckgro­und: In this study, the early postoperative period (first week) satisfaction levels of young patients (8–27 age group) who have undergone Nuss procedure, is researched.

Metho­ds: Eighteen patients (17 males, 1 female; mean age 19.27±4.9 years; range 8-27 years) who underwent Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum (PE) at the Dokuz Eylül Univesity Thorax Surgery Department during a 14-month period, were included. All patients were asked to complete the appropriate questionnaires regarding their preoperative and postoperative conditions. Nuss Questionnaires and single step questionnaires developed by Krasopoulos et al. have been administered to the patients in the postoperative period between the 5-7 days.

Results: In the preoperative period, 100% of the patients expressed that they were unhappy or very unhappy of their naked chest sight, 94.4% of them feel the necessity for hiding their chests, 83.3% of them feel themselves uncomfortable because of their chest sight, 66.7% of them thought that their fatigue could be related with their chest deformity. In the postoperative period, 83.3% of our patients claimed that their health status was better, 55.6% of them told that their exercise capacity was better, 83.4% of them expressed that they were too much pleased of their appearance in the early postoperative period. Self-respect average in the preoperative period was 4.5±2.5; however, this average increased to 8.8±1.3 after operation (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, p<0.001). 94.5% of our patients expressed that, they have minimal or no pain in the early postoperative period.

Co­nclusio­n: According to our results; we observed that the correction of PE with Nuss procedure straightens both the physical and psychosocial well-being, and increases the self esteem and life quality, having a positive effect on cosmetic pleasure of young adults, in the early postoperative period.

Keywords : Funnel chest/surgery; postoperative complications; quality of life; thoracic surgery