Type of Surgery
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Last updated: 02/17/2009
In the United States, pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity observed in children, occurring more commonly in boys than in girls. Pectus excavatum tends to run in families. The funnel chest usually progresses as the child grows, often...
showing a dramatic deterioration during the puberty growth spurt.
Pectus excavatum repair is technically easiest to perform in preadolescent children, and the recovery is faster. However, almost half of the patients undergoing the operation are teenagers. Repair is rarely performed on children under eight years of age. In recent years, a large number of adults over the age of 21 years have undergone repair with equally good results as those observed with children.
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Pectus excavatum repair, also called "funnel chest repair" or "chest deformity repair," is a type of surgery performed to correct pectus excavatum, a deformity of the front of the chest wall with depression of the breast-bone
The chest consists of the rib cage and sternum, which protect the upper-abdominal cavity and its contents. Pectus excavatum, also called "funnel chest" or "depressed sternum" is a deformity that is usually diagnosed shortly after birth. In some people, it is not visible until they are older. The exact cause is not known, but it is believed to be due to overgrowth of the rib cartilage connected to the sternum, which results in the sternum being pushed backward toward the spine. Most people have no symptoms, but if the breastbone is pushed back far enough, heart and lung function may be affected. The purpose of pectus excavatum repair surgery is to correct the deformity to improve physical appearance, posture, and breathing.
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