Dr. Klaus Schaarschmidt

I developed PE in my early teens and lived with the symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigability, constant pressure discomfort, chest and back pain felt. In 2016 at age 44, I felt certain that the symptoms were getting worse and started looking more seriously at having my PE repaired.

I did a lot of research and ended up looking overseas for a surgeon than I could be confident I would have good outcome with.

I contacted Professor Schaarscmidt, who was very helpful. He described my condition as very severe right asymmetric PE, with right sternal torsion, with upper PE and rib flaring on both sides.

I then had a CT scan which confirmed that I had a Haller index of 8.1, with only 2.3 cm between my sternum and my spine, the CT also revealed right ventricular compression and right aortal compression. The lung function tests were 65% of the norm.

In spite of my age and the severity of my PE, Prof Schaarscmidt was very confident that he could correct my PE and the rib flare. At the time, he had done over 1,650 Nuss repairs in patients aged 12 to 58 years of age, 120-150 Nuss procedures a year. I had confidence that I was putting myself in very capable and experienced hands.

I flew to Berlin in late November 2016 and had a few days sightseeing before going to the Helios Clinic in Buch about 40 minutes’ drive north east of the city. I met Prof Schaarscmidt the day before my surgery and after looking at my chest we discussed the surgery and expected positive outcome.

The surgery was successful and I had no complications. It took me a few days to get a look at my chest, but when I finally did I was very pleased with the outcome. Both the PE and rib flare were completely gone. The recovery was not easy, especially if you are older and you have to push yourself to get mobile again. The more mobile you are the faster the recovery. Professor Schaarschmidt emphasized this every time he visited, which helped me to push to get mobile and make use of my new lung space!

I began physio which consisted of yoga, stretches and aerobic exercise on the exercise bike. I also walked around the hospital as much as possible and kept up with the three breathing exercise devices they give you.

The doctors, nurses and physiotherapist in particular were very familiar with the Nuss procedure recovery process. I believe this was a key benefit to compliment Prof Schaarschmidts’ experience.

At all times I found Prof Schaarscmidt to be a very kind, caring and professional surgeon and I felt that I could have absolute confidence in his expertise. I had 12 days recovering in the Helios clinic before flying back to Australia.

Considering how severe my PE was, I have come out with a result that is close to perfect.
It is so easy to breathe now that it feels almost as if another person is breathing for me. I can no longer feel my heart beating through my ribs and neck.

After three months post-surgery, I am walking, jogging and weight training again. While my body is still adjusting, I feel like the surgery has given me a new lease on life; my only regret being not having the PE repair sooner.

It was an absolute pleasure dealing with Prof Schaarschmidt. I can without hesitation recommend him as a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, who has a very kind and approachable manner.

Dr. Schaarschmidt is an expert in pectus excavatum. I have had the surgery with him as a young adult, and have attained a great result, better than I’d expected. If there are similar individuals (females especially) out there, I do highly recommend this doctor, you would be in safe hands! Please email me if you wanted to know more about my surgery: [email protected]

After having a recurrence of pectus after a failed Ravitch surgery in my home country 4 years ago, I decided to get surgery again and this time I wanted the greatest expert in Pectus excavatum to perform it. After some years of research I decided to do it in Berlin by Prof. Schaarschmidt.. Although it's only been a week since the surgery I can say I am really satisfied with the cosmetic result, but the most important part is that now my lungs have more space to work properly and improve my pulmonary capacity, which will improve my health immensely. After the surgery during the first days it can be really painful and uncomfortable, but every day I feel better and better and it has only been a week. I completely recommend this surgeon.

In my opinion Prof. Dr. Klaus Schaarschmidt is an incredible surgeon and a GREAT person, funny, yet professional and he always seem to be in the hospital, his team were also great.

My result score of 9 is not a reflection of the professor but of the results of the first surgery that I am hoping I can push back over the coming year and get an even better result...... I so wish I had seen the Professor first, at least I can pass my experience on via this site so you don't make the same mistake.

My Nuss operation was a do over, the professor removed someone elses short bars..... The bars had been in for almost 3 years, this surgery should not have been done, my result for my surgery now is not as good as it could have been if I had come to Germany and seen the professor first I am sure of this. After my 3 years with bars in from my first surgery I was getting pain in the section the bars attached to my chest. The bars were too short to remove a dent as wide as mine, if you are attaching bars inside a dent then you are never going to get that dent out...... These short bars were explained to me after I had showered and was awaiting the surgeon to go into theater. I paid extra money to have a specailist involved in the surgery in a very expensive part of London 2 nuss surgeons, so I had to go private to have this happen, zero insurance could be used............ I should have come to Germany FIRST.

Do yourself a Favour come here first!!! Don't go else where as I did and then end up here trying to have the Professor fix someone elses mistakes, ESP if you are older. Give yourself the best chance for a great result. Looking at the various forums see where everyone ends up to have thier incorrect Nuss surgeries sorted out, there is a reason, Prof. Schaarschmidt record speak for itself.

The professor was so nice to me and my mother who came with me, the hospital is great, super clean, great friendly staff, lovely grounds too.

my haller index value is wrong I don't know what it was so please ignore that info if looking thanks

I had botched op. in Australia causing detached ribs/ floating sternum flail-chest, pardoxic breathing.
bars in for 2 years2months - out mid 2015
Now i have a stable chest, and rarely think about the structural damage i had before Dr Schaarshmidt took-on my case. Now i Ride a Heavy motorcycle, body surf, and have taken up Roller Derby! - which involves a lot of tumbles - at which time i never even think of my chest!
See my full report at the other pectus dedicated website ;,....
http://www.pectusinfo.com/board/viewthread.php?tid=8337