Purpose: This study assessed physical development of patients with pectus excavatum and evaluated the effect of the Nuss procedure on physical development.

Methods: A total of 146 patients underwent the Nuss procedure; of these, at the time of the study, the bar had been removed from 123 patients (84.9%; male 93, female 30) who were eligible for participation in this study. Heights and body weights of patients were measured prior to surgery and immediately before bar removal. Chest computed tomography (CT) was performed preoperatively and immediately before bar removal. The associations between physical development and chest CT indices were evaluated.

Results: The height standard deviation score (SDS) was − 0.66 ± 2.23 preoperatively and 0.04 ± 1.34 immediately before bar removal (p <0.01). The weight SDS was − 0.02 ± 2.59 preoperatively; it increased significantly to 0.56 ± 1.56 immediately before bar removal (p <0.01). The Haller index (3.85 ± 1.18 to 2.99 ± 0.54; p <0.01) and asymmetric index (9.75 ± 6.63 to 7.01 ± 4.77; p <0.01) also showed improvements.

Conclusions: The Nuss procedure may contribute positively to the physical development of patients with pectus excavatum.