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Pectus excavatum is a congenital medical condition where the ribs and sternum grow abnormally, producing a sunken appearance to the chest. This makes the chest look like it has caved in on itself. It is also commonly refereed to as "funnel chest" or "chest bowl". It is the most common form of pectus deformity, occurring in approximately 1 in 300-400 births, with a 3:1 male predominance ratio. Whilst Pectus Excavatum occurs at birth, it often does not develop properly until early adolescence when growth is more rapid.
Causes[change | change source]
Numbers[change | change source]
Pectus excavatum happens in about 1 in every 300-400 children with the majority of cases being male.
Non-invasive treatment[change | change source]
Suction Cup[change | change source]
A vacuum bell, also called a suction cup, can be used to fix pectus excavatum. The cup is placed on the chest and all the air is removed: this pulls up the chest. This non-invasive procedure shows promise to be a permanent cure for pectus excavatum. Treatment must continue for two years after the appearance of correction is made.
Surgery[change | change source]
The dent can be fixed by a doctor. The following are alternate surgical ways of fixing the chest:
Nuss Procedure[change | change source]
Ravitch[change | change source]
The Ravitch technique is from the 1950s. It involves cutting out part of the chest, placing a bar in the chest, and having the bone grow back. Most doctors do not use the Ravitch because it causes much blood loss.
References[change | change source]
- "CHKD:The Vacuum-Bell". Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.
- "Non-surgical sunken chest treatment device may eliminate surgery". Mass Device. 2012. Unknown parameter
- Raver-Lampman (2012). "First patients in US receive non-surgical device of sunken chest syndrome". Eurek Alert. Unknown parameter