Pectus Excavatum

What is Pectus Excavatum?

Pectus excavatum is a congenital condition where the chest wall is concave or the breastbone is sunken into the chest. It usually becomes more noticeable as your child goes through growth spurts.

The treatment for pectus excavatum is often elective as the defect is usually not severe enough to impact the
heart and lung function. However, the treatment of pectus excavatum can have a great impact on your child’s
self-esteem and self-image during their teenage and adult years.

Treatment Options for Pectus Excavatum

Eckart Klobe Vacuum Bell

The Vacuum Bell is a suction cup-like medical device that is currently ordered from Germany that lifts the funneled chest. The bell is worn up to 2 hours daily for 10 months or more. This is an alternative to surgery and can often prevent worsening of the defect.

Nuss Procedure (Minimally Invasive Repair)

The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive surgery where a metal bar is placed behind the breastbone/sternum, using a thoracoscopic camera to see inside. The bar is then flipped to push out the breastbone/sternum. The bar remains in place until it is surgically removed several years later after correction is complete.

Ravitch Procedure (Open Repair)

The Ravitch procedure is a surgery where the chest is opened and the abnormal cartilage and part of the sternum is removed to lift the chest wall. A bar is placed in the chest that is removed within one year of the procedure.

Next Steps

• Discuss with your family and your pediatric surgeon the best option(s) for treatment for your child.
• Your child may need additional testing to assess for the impact of the pectus excavatum on their heart and lung function. Depending on the treatment option chosen, this may include a CT scan, pulmonary function tests, echocardiogram, and metal allergy testing. We will discuss what needs to be done for your specific child.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please call Pediatric Surgery at (585) 275-4435.