2️– Rib Flare with Pectus Excavatum or Carinatum
For patients with pectus excavatum (sunken chest) or pectus carinatum (pigeon chest) rib flare can often be corrected during Nuss or Abramson operations.
• With proper surgical planning, rib flare may be corrected during these main operations.
• In selected cases, special additional techniques such as Flare Buster or Magic String can be added in the same session without making extra incisions.
3️– Patients Over 17 Without Additional Chest Deformities
For adults whose only concern is rib flare (with no associated chest deformity or no plan for pectus surgery), there are two main options:
a) Ribella® Procedure – The Modern Choice
- Painless
- Stitchless, scar-free, incision-free
- Results are visible immediately
- Only requires two months of bandage support after the procedure — then the treatment is complete
- Provides a permanent correction without rib removal
- Uses ultrasound-guided reshaping for a natural, symmetric look
- Offers 3D simulation technology, allowing patients to preview their expected results before treatment
Ribella® is a patented innovation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Ersöz.
To learn more about this breakthrough method, please visit our dedicated website Dr. Curver.
b) Cartilage Rib Resection – The Traditional Option
In selected patients who do not respond to Ribella® (as confirmed by a rib flexibility test), the traditional method of cartilage rib removal is still used.
- Small 3 cm incisions are made over the rib ends
- The cartilage is removed while preserving the surrounding membrane
- The membrane is then sutured back in the correct position, allowing new cartilage to regrow naturally within 6–8 weeks
- The newly formed cartilage develops in a more correct anatomical alignment
- This method provides a permanent correction, although it involves a longer recovery compared to Ribella®
While this is a more invasive option, it remains effective for cases where Ribella® is not suitable. Dr. Curver
