Surgical tool for pectus bar extraction

1. A pectus bar extraction tool for removing a pectus bar from a patient, the pectus bar having posterior and anterior sides, comprising a handle having a long axis, an engagement member fixed to and extending distally and laterally outward from the handle for extending from the anterior to the posterior sides of the pectus bar to engage the posterior side of the pectus bar, the engagement member being a protrusion adapted for placement through an aperture in the pectus bar, and a lever arm fixed to and extending laterally from the handle opposite to the engagement member for engaging the pectus bar on the anterior side of the pectus bar, wherein the lever arm comprises spaced-apart lateral side members for engaging lateral side portions of the pectus bar, and a web between the lateral side members, the lateral side portions and the web defining an open-ended channel, the open-ended channel being transverse to the long axis of the handle, the pectus bar fitting between the lateral side members to contact the web and extending from each of the open ends of the channel, the protrusion being centrally located relative to the lateral side members.

2. The pectus bar extraction tool of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a hook.

3. The pectus bar extraction tool of claim 2 , wherein the width of the hook is less than one-half of the width of the pectus bar.

4. The pectus bar extraction tool of claim 2 , wherein the hook extends distally to the handle.

5. The pectus bar extraction tool of claim 1 , wherein the lateral side members are rails.

6. The pectus bar extraction tool of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises an indented portion.

7. A method for extracting a pectus bar from a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a pectus bar having an elongated main body portion with posterior and anterior sides and opposing ends, and engagement structure at said ends for engaging a pectus bar extraction tool, the pectus bar having been surgically implanted in the patient;

providing a pectus bar extraction tool comprising a handle and an engagement member fixed to the handle for cooperating with the engagement structure on the pectus bar;

engaging the engagement member on the pectus bar extraction tool to the engagement structure on one of the opposing ends of the pectus bar;

engaging a second pectus bar extraction tool to the engagement structure at the other opposing end of the pectus bar;

using the handles to apply a straightening force to the pectus bar so as to at least partially straighten the pectus bar, whereby the pectus bar can be removed from the patient.