Abstract
Pectus excavatum (PE) is a posterior depression of the sternum and adjacent costal cartilages and is frequently seen by primary care providers. PE accounts for >90% of congenital chest wall deformities. Patients with PE are often dismissed by physicians as having an inconsequential problem; however, it can be more than a cosmetic deformity. Severe cases can cause cardiopulmonary impairment and physiologic limitations. Evidence continues to present that these physiologic impairments may worsen as the patient ages. Data reports improved cardiopulmonary function after repair and marked improvement in psychosocial function. More recent consensus by both the pediatric and thoracic surgical communities validates surgical repair of the significant PE and contradicts arguments that repair is primarily cosmetic. We performed a review of the current literature and treatment recommendations for patients with PE deformities.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 230-239 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2010 |
Keywords
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Chest wall deformities
- Congenital defects
- Connective tissue
- Musculoskeletal
- Pectus excavatum
- Review
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Family Practice