Management of pectus chest deformities in female patients

Background

There is sparse published information regarding surgical management of females with pectus excavatum (PE) or carinatum (PC) deformities.

Methods

During the past 33 years 104 females with PE, and 21 with PC underwent surgical repair using extensive modifications of the Ravitch technique. Seven had previous right breast implants, 3 had prostheses placed in the PE deformity. Nine PE patients underwent successful pregnancy before repair, but had severe third trimester dyspnea.

Results

Very good to excellent results were reported by 96% (mean follow-up, 6 years). Increased endurance, decreased dyspnea, reduced chest discomfort, and less tachycardia occurred in all within 6 months. No patients had significant breast asymmetry after repair. Complications included mildly hypertrophic scar (8), transient pleural effusion (3), bar displacement (1), and mild recurrence (3).

Conclusions

Females with symptomatic PE or PC, can be repaired with low morbidity, mild pain, low cost, and improvement in body image and symptoms. Prostheses are not beneficial in the treatment of physiologic symptoms caused by pectus deformities.