Dr. Klaus Schaarschmidt

I'm a 28 year old New Zealander who had Nuss/reverse Nuss performed at Helios Klinikum (Berlin-Buch). I've had a noticeable pectus deformity since early childhood and have tolerated the physical issues which typically arise from it since teenage-hood; e.g. ever-present shortness of breath, chest discomfort during exercise, reduced stamina, poor posture etc. For most of my life, I've wanted to repair my chest in order to increase my quality of life by resolving these issues. I wasn't so concerned about the cosmetic aspect, though in retrospect, I very much appreciate that my chest now looks completely normal!

Based on my internet research over the years, I decided that Professor Schaarschmidt would be the best choice of surgeon, given that he is renowned as one of the best in the world, and the cost of operation is not only comparatively reasonable but considerably lower than various hospitals in the US/England. Nevertheless, I spent 6 months going through the NZ public health system in an attempt to obtain a proper diagnosis for my condition and gauge/prove how much it affects my sleep and breathing. Frankly, it was a joke. Some of the doctors had never heard of pectus excavatum, despite it being relatively common. Even more experienced consultants and surgeons dismissed my concerns, and by the end, I had received a vague patchy diagnosis of having 'some variant of PE which they didn't understand' and couldn't be bothered researching.

By contrast, I met with Prof. Schaarschmidt 6 months prior to my surgery and within 10 seconds of seeing my chest, he instantly diagnosed me with Currarino-Silverman syndrome, a PE/PC hybrid. He clearly outlined the physiological effects of this condition and the prognosis if left untreated. He told me it was trickier to repair than regular PE or PC, but quite doable.

I opted for surgery and had the sandwich operation performed which involved two bars being inserted, one to treat the PE and one to treat the PC. The operation itself went quite smoothly, and I was able to transfer from intensive care to the regular ward after 2 days. My pain and discomfort was actually lower than expected and quite manageable. My main annoyance at the time was not being able to shower myself until I had my catheters removed after a week :)

The physiotherapist gave me 3 breathing machines which I was to use every waking hour, in order to increase my lung capacity and train my chest to deal with its new anatomy. As soon as possible after the op, I engaged in physical exercise such as walking up and down stairs and around the hospital, and using the exercise bike. My in-hospital recovery was generally quite smooth except that I had pleural effusion which had to be punctured before I was discharged after 18 days and unfortunately recurred until 5-6 weeks post-op. But it was absolutely no problem for me to return to the hospital for a further puncture and another checkup later after that. Anyhow, pleural effusion is a semi-common problem after any sort of chest surgery, and it resolves itself before too long.

After 3 weeks, I was able to travel alone and support myself without much issue. After 4 weeks, I returned to work. After 6 weeks, I was able to go jogging and cut out pain medication (nightly ibuprofen). And now, 10 weeks post-op, I am returning to the gym to resume weight-training and cardio.

Overall, I'm pleased with the result, physically and cosmetically. Prof. Schaarschmidt is a very professional, experienced and understanding surgeon, unafraid of even the most difficult cases. Even in spite of the fact that I speak no German, the nurses were nice, competent and helpful. I would certainly recommend Prof. Schaarschmidt and Helios Kliniken to anyone looking to repair their pectus problem, and I'll be returning for bar removal in 3 years time.

Hi to all of you out there with a pectus deformity.
I am a Greek pharmacist that lives and works in Sweden 2 years now.Since my adolescense ,age of 15-16 ,i have been struggling with a pectus deformity,which is called pectus carinatum as i discovered later.My pectus carinatum influenced a big part of my life especially my personal one and made me feel less and inadequate.A bumb of about 6 centimeteres in the right side of my chest played a negative role that should never play.I always tried to fix it either with weight lifting and proper protein nutrition or with clothing that would hide and conceal the problem.It was only 3 years ago,after extensive google searching when i found out not only that there are many individuals with the same agonizing problem but that there is also a surgical procedure out there promising a pectus carinatum free life.This procedure was immediately ranked in my top 5 priorities.
In Europe the first choice to have the operation would be in Berlin by professor Klaus Schaarschmidt and his team. I had read many reviews and experiences from other patients before took the decision to undergo the procedure in Germany.All the expenditure were paid by a loan i had taken from a swedish bank and my personal savings ,and there is also a possibility to get back some of the money or even the whole amount when i hand over the receipts in the swedish health system.So as you can realise i was really determined to get rid of this obstacle in my life no matter what.
The surgery was planned for the 26th of July after having exchanged several emails with the doctor who also evaluated the severity of my condition through some photos taken by me.I arrived in Berlin 2 days earlier with my parents ,both of them stayed in a pension located nearby.I was admitted to the clinic one day before the surgery in order to do some necessary preliminary tests like x-rays ,blood testing... and also in order to be properly examined by the doctor.The surgery lasted about 4,5 hours as my parents explained later.The most important things to notice through my days in the intensive care are that the pain management was amazing.the nurses were very helpful and supportive and my progress and improvement were much faster than i could ever imagine.The pain was effectively controlled via en epidural and the only somehow painful activity was to do breathing exercises with 2 drains inside my chest.Moreover one common and the only complication that occurred was air between my chest and left lung which was treated by the re-insertion of the left drain that was probably too early removed.Other positive aspects to notice are that i walked from day one and that the overall pain experience is already a distant blur memory -only 2 weeks have passed since i had the surgery-.After the intensive care i was moved to the children department where i stayed for 5 days.Things there were much easier there considering i was significantly much better psysically .
The results of the surgery are very satisfying however not perfect -i dont know if they could ever be so.There is still a small bumb which the doctor said that can be fixed together with the bar removal and the reattachment after 2-3 years.However my chest is 90 percent normal so i am satisfied with the results and would definately recommend the procedure by drSchaarschmidt to all of you that are thinking having it.3 things you also must have in mind are that you will wear a special bandage for about a month,you must do your breathing exercises everyday for a month and last but not least it is possible to live a life without pectus carinatum -i am one of the many living examples.Thank you dr Schaarschmidt.!!!

I'm 26 and on 14th July, 2016 I had Nuss/Reverse Nuss procedure at Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch. Traveled from Latvia,

I have chest deformity since my childhood, that came more and more visible and troubling year by year. In 2013 got recommendations to visit prof. Schaarschmidt from different forums. So then I first get in touch with prof. I was little bit scary by receiving info from prof. that my case is severe and it must be corrected because Latvian doctors didn't pay attention on my chest,

On 2015 I finally visited prof. in Berlin. I was very surprised for such kindly and professional conversation! I really understood that this prof. knows what he is talking about and I was very relief when finally somebody understood the problems connected with my chest. During the visit prof.also suggested to get S2 certificate from Latvia to cover the operation costs.
Diagnosis after a visit: severe right symmetric combine chest deformity with right sided upper pectus carinatum and left sided lower pectus excavatum. Hight of the pectus carinatum 7cm, dept of the pectus excavatum 4cm.
Therapy suggested: combined reverse Nuss/ Nuss procedure with 2 bars

After a visit I made a decision to correct chest deformity while I'm quite young to reach better results. For my surprise I managed also to get S2 sertificate to cover the costs. My operation was planned on 14th of July and I received positive answer about S2 just 1 week before the operation. So I didn't have time to start to worry about the operation- I was so happy about it- so I quickly bought the plane tickets and prepared my suitcase.

I arrived at hospital on one day before surgery and left hospital on 28th of July. Few days more as planned before because of water in my lungs.
I want to say a big THANK YOU to a team of Intensive Care Center! I was there for 6 days after operation. My surgery lasted for 4,5 hours. First days were really horrible because of huge pain in chest and back, also because of big drains in both sides. During these 6 days it was a big fight to get well. But despite of that- already of next day- I started to walk!! Can't imagine how it's possible. Next day or some days later after surgery physiotherapist visited me and helped to reduce the back pain with acupuncture massage that was really excellent! And also later- every day physiotherapist visited me to help sleep on sides, turn in bed, walking, breathing exercises. Doctors gave me also 3 respiratory training tools so I could train my lungs by my own every hour. Very good pain medications were given all the time. In case of questions- I had answers immediately. So positive and responsive attitude of doctors is the best that patient can wish after so complicated surgery! I really had a feeling that they love their job!

I had temperature all the time after surgery and some days later I had also fever. Doctors explained it because of huge pain. With addition pain medications I got over the fever and then finally I was moved to simple station where I was until I got out of the hospital.
During the recovery I had different problems that can appear after such complicated surgeries. But all problems was solved quickly. Only water in my lungs was not so easy- I had 2 punctures. And I also left hospital with little amount of water, but it seems that soon it will be ok with it finally.

I was positively surprised that part of a personnel in hospital knows English, Russian very well. Also one woman knew Latvian! This really eased communication with doctors because I don't speak German. Needless to say that prof.Schaarschmidt knows English perfect! Just some nurses in simple station was sometimes impolite and unresponsive because I didn't speak German.
What's more, I have food intolerance to many food, but for me always was served special food- so I didn't need to worry about my allergies during the hospital stay.

General about the surgery: I'm very satisfied with the result, just a little bit sad that my upper pectus carinatum is still here. But I really understand that my case was not easy. But prof. explained that it can be fixed during the surgery when the bars will be removed. So I need to wait some more years until the excellent result.
Despite of that I have new chest, new hope for better life! I can say good-by to my previous chest deformities. Such a long time ago it was just a dream but now reality!

I want to say GREATEST THANKS to prof.Schaarschmidt for:
-professionalism
- knowledge and experience
- encouragement
- the courage to solve tough cases
- kindness and responsiveness
- positive smile

I highly recommend prof. Schaarschmidt if you have chest deformities!

I traveled from Prague to Berlin to do my second surgery with Mr. Schaarschimdt. First surgery has been performed by czech surgeon who considered himself as well-known and experienced. It came out after surgery that they put just 1 bar instead of 2 which will very well repair my chest. Outcome was not that good (7 of 10). Problem appeared afterwards when my bar moved due to sneezing 7 months after surgery. When I asked my doctor If It should be removed, he said It should stay inside another 3 years. Therefore I contacted Prof. Schaarschimdt and made an appointment where he explained to me every single wrong step they made in Prague.

My surgery was scheduled this month and went absolutely without any problems. Helios klinikum is just amazing, staff is incredible and very friendly. The whole process before and after surgery was like from another world for me comparing to my first surgery in Prague. From breathing exercises, ultrasound, all kind of examinations after surgery (blood, etc.)., explanations when needed. Everything was absolutely perfect. For anybody abroad who is considering surgery and dont know If they should pay it, Its absolutely worth it! My first surgery was covered by Insurance but It didnt help me at all! Thank you Dr. Schaarschmidt!

I was 24 years old when I knew about the Nuss procedure as a possibility to correct my Pectus Excavatum (my Haller index was 3.5).

I was operated in Italy on 2013 after the chief surgeon explained me the Nuss procedure as something very fast and easy, absolutely painless and with a post-operative hospital stay and a recover from two to four days (!). He also told me that his team was experienced with more than fifteen Nuss procedures for year, but later, unfortunately, we discovered that it wasn't true.

I woke up after the surgery with a strong problem: I couldn't breath properly because of the inhumane pain coming from the inside of my chest and I couldn't move because of the large hematomas, big as the whole sides of my chest. My voice was very weak and it was difficult to communicate.

Furthermore, in the absence of any pleural drainages installed, after some days I had pneumonia and two liters of hematic pleural effusion were drained from my chest. In the following weeks I had a lot of other problems because of the inexperience of the hospital team regarding this particular operation.

Luckily my relatives, very worried for my worsening clinical condition, insisted with the hospital team to better investigate my persistent chest infections with a Thoracic Computed Axial Tomography (Thoracic CT scan). We discovered, later and by ourselves, that the two Nuss bars were not in the proper position inside my chest.

So, after 40 days in the hospital, with complicated chest infections and without signs of recovery, I decided by myself to leave the hospital.

In the following days I have been visited by another surgeon in another center in order to know the opinion of an expert for this kind of surgery. He suspected that the Nuss bars were moved, but he wouldn't write a medical report, because he was a close friend of the chief surgeon of the previous hospital.

I went to another expert, to know another opinion: he confirmed that the Nuss implant was moved into my chest but he did not mention the possible consequences. No one looked convinced to remove the implant, probably for the very high risks of the new operation. Maybe they were considering their risks and not those of the patient.

Prof. Klaus Schaarschmidt

My father and my aunt, desperately searching on the Internet, finally found a forum of the patients about the Nuss procedure. Quite impressed for the remarkable results in similar difficult situations and by the genuine gratitude of the patients, they soon contacted Prof. Klaus Schaarschmidt by email, asking for some help.

Since the first email, by knowing about my continuos fever, the kind of pain and other symptoms of infections, Prof. Schaarschmidt promptly understood that the implant moved into the chest and he immediately explained us of the seriousness of my clinical condition. He told us that a position displacement of a Nuss bar could easily kill the patient by damaging the heart and other vital organs inside the chest!

The day after I flew to the Helios Klinikum, in Berlin. Just arrived there, Prof. Schaarschmidt visited me and on next morning he operated me. The surgery took about six hours. He removed the two Italian Nuss bars and he fixed in the proper way a new Nuss bar in my chest.

At the Helios, soon after the operation, I could start the breathing exercises (thanks to a pain killer infusion by epidural chest catheter) and after a few days a tight program of physical therapy.
Furthermore Prof. Schaarschmidt came everyday to spur me and to walk with me along the hospital corridor. All this despite the various drainages that had been provided in various parts of my chest to avoid accumulation of liquid and infections.

I was very surprised after the surgery for the accurate procedures followed by the hospital staff and for the medical instrumentation used, nothing like what I had seen in the previous hospitalizations.

Just after the surgery I recovered the full level of the voice and I understood that the reason was that one of the bars placed mistakenly in the first operation was pressing on the trachea.

The pain, even if reduced, continued until the Nuss implant has been removed after 2 years, but we are quite sure that this was related to what happened with the first operation in Italy. At the moment I have no sensibility in a large surface of my chest, but I am here, still alive, thanks to Prof. Klaus Schaarschmidt and to his team.

Many doctors are presenting themselves as very experienced, but unfortunately they (and their staff) are not. The inexperience for the Nuss procedure nearly killed me and I suffered severe pain for a long time, and as you can find on the web inexperience and superficiality in these surgeries have killed several people in various parts of the world.

If you are going to consider a Nuss procedure, for you or for your son/daughter and you live in Europe I strongly recommend to avoid any risk and to contact directly an expert team like the team of Prof. Klaus Schaarschmidt at the Helios Klinikum in Berlin. Nearly one third of the Nuss operations that are done every year in this hospital are corrections of errors made in other parts of the world.

Thanks Prof. Schaarschmidt!!!