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Pectus carinatum can cause severe cardiac symptoms, including palpitations, dyspnea, and wheeze due to chest wall stiffness. Most patients seek surgical repair to flatten the chest and improve chest appearance. That will also improve the patient’s self-confidence.
What are the symptoms of pectus carinatum and how is it treated?
Bracing treatment for pectus carinatum is very safe. A small number of patients may have irritation or breakdown of the skin where the brace makes contact. Patients are taught to stop using the brace at the first sign of any irritation. They are then asked to return to the office so that the brace can be adjusted.
Is bracing treatment for pectus carinatum safe?
Pectus carinatum is a long-term condition that will not go away on its own. By itself, pectus carinatum is not dangerous. It does not cause any symptoms other than the abnormal appearance of the chest, and having it will not make you sick or shorten your lifespan.
Is pectus carinatum dangerous?
In cases with pectus carinatum, the use of orthotic bracing, pioneered by Sydney Haje in 1977, is gaining recognition as an alternative to surgery due to the fear of surgery of most people. The use of a chest-wall brace provides direct pressure on the deformed portion of the chest.
Is there an alternative to surgery for pectus carinatum?
Does pectus carinatum surgery hurt?
The surgical repair of pectus carinatum is a painful procedure. Length of stay in the hospital is determined primarily by pain control.
Is pectus carinatum brace painful?
No, the brace should not be painful to wear. Most children say their chest is slightly sore after they first begin wearing the brace, especially on the front of the chest, but ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can ease the discomfort. Minimal redness at the contact sites from wearing the brace is normal.
How long does it take to recover from pectus carinatum surgery?
Patients often need pain medication for the 2-4 weeks. It typically takes a month or two for you to fully recover and resume normal activities. Your surgeon can advise you on what activities are allowed.
How painful is pectus excavatum surgery?
Patients also experience chest and back pain. This pain may be intermittent and may or may not be associated with exercise. Although the exact cause of the pain is unknown, almost two thirds of patients whopresent for surgical pectus excavatum repair have a history of chest pain. Psychosocial effects.
Can you sleep in a pectus carinatum brace?
The brace can be worn while sleeping. You may wear it directly over the skin, or over a tight fitting tank top. When worn correctly, the brace is very effective in making the chest flatter. Wearing a brace helps you avoid surgery!
How long do you wear a brace for pectus carinatum?
Most kids will wear a brace for 6 months to a year, though some will need one for longer. They usually can remove it for sports, showering, and other activities, but usually must wear it for 8 hours a day or longer. Help your child wear the brace exactly as recommended by your health care provider.
Is pectus carinatum surgery risky?
The surgical repair of pectus carinatum, like other extensive surgeries, carries certain risks. While the Ravitch procedure is also safe and effective, complications can occur, including: Pneumothorax (a buildup of air or gas in the pleural space around the lung) Bleeding.
Does pectus carinatum surgery leave a scar?
The end result is rated as very good but it does leave a long scar on the chest. With the new technique (known as the Nuss operation or the minimally invasive repair (MIRPE)), it is not necessary to create large incisions or to remove/fracture any ribs or cartilage, or sternum.
Is Ravitch procedure painful?
The pectus repair is a painful procedure. Length of stay is dictated by postoperative pain management. Following the operation, most children stay in the hospital for approximately 5 days. An epidural catheter, placed in the back, will be used to give continuous pain medication.
Does surgery hurt?
You'll get medicine, called anesthesia, so that you won't feel anything during surgery. The type you get depends on your health and the procedure you're having. Local anesthesia. It blocks pain in the part of your body where you have surgery.
Does the Nuss surgery hurt?
Because the sternum is forced outward and held under great pressure, the Nuss procedure results in more pain and discomfort than the modified ravitch procedure.
How painful is Nuss surgery?
Pain is common after a Nuss procedure. Therefore, you will remain at the hospital for two to three days for effective pain management.
What Is Pectus Carinatum?
- Pectus carinatum (PC), commonly referred to as “pigeon chest,” is a chest wall malformation in which the sternum and ribs push in an outward direction. It results from overgrowth of the cartilaginous portion of the ribs. Up to half of children with PC will also have some component of pectus excavatum. PC occurs in approximately 1 per 1,500 live births. It is more common in mal…
What Causes It?
- PC can be associated with a variety of genetic disorders and syndromes, including Marfan syndrome, Noonan syndrome, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, Poland syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, Coffin-Lowry syndrome and Morquio disease. There is a strong familial incidence with up to 25% of cases.
Signs and Symptoms
- Patients usually do not experience symptoms, but a small percentage of patients have complained of shortness of breath with exercise with or without chest pain. For many patients, cosmetic appearance is their primary concern.
How Is It Treated?
- PC is treated in two ways. Patients are initially treated with the use of an external bracing device. If bracing fails, pediatric surgeons perform surgery to correct the condition. External bracing is a cost-effective alternative to surgery, with good success rates. The chest wall is still compliant during the adolescent years, which allows it to b...
Evaluation
- If your child has pectus carinatum and would like it corrected, please schedule an appointment with one of our experienced general pediatric surgeons. During your appointment, your surgeon will spend time reviewing the best correction method for your child.