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Chest Wall Deformities

Pectus excavatum and carinatum are common congenital chest wall deformities. The sternal depression can limit the ability of the chest to expand during respiration and cause the heart to be repositioned in the chest. Often young children are asymptomatic, but by adolescence patients may exhibit recurrent respiratory tract infections, decreased cardiac output, and arrhythmias. Adolescents are often insecure about their deformity and this tends to lead to social withdrawal and the inability to participate in sports.

Repair of Chest Wall Deformities

A midline incision is made over the sternum and the cartilage connecting the ribs and sternum are removed. The sternum is then fractured and the defect is corrected by suturing the sternum in correct placement.

The hospital recovery period is usually four to six days. Patients are often able to eat soft foods and walk around the room the evening of surgery. After discharge, patients are strongly encouraged to lift weights to increase the strength of the chest wall muscles.