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Semin Plast Surg 2011; 25(1): 107-116
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275177
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Management of Congenital Chest Wall Deformities

Felix C. Blanco1 , Steven T. Elliott2 , Anthony D. Sandler3
  • 1Department of Surgery, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
  • 2UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
  • 3Division of Pediatric Thoracic and General Surgery, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 April 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Congenital chest wall deformities are considered to be anomalies in chest wall growth. These can be categorized as either rib cage overgrowth or deformities related to inadequate growth (aplasia or dysplasia). Rib cage overgrowth leads to depression of the sternum (pectus excavatum) or protuberance of the sternum (pectus carinatum) and accounts for greater than 90% of congenital chest wall deformities. The remaining deformities are a result of inadequate growth. Evolution in the management of congenital chest wall deformities has made significant progress over the past 25 years. This article will review chest wall deformities and the current management strategies of these interesting anomalies.

KEYWORDS

Congenital - chest wall - deformity - pectus

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Anthony D SandlerM.D. F.A.C.S. 

Diane and Norman Bernstein Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Chief, Division of Pediatric Thoracic and General Surgery

Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20010-2970

Email: asandler@cnmc.org

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