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Eur J Pediatr Surg 2018; 28(04): 347-354
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667297
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Current Options for the Treatment of Pectus Carinatum: When to Brace and When to Operate?

Sherif Emil
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2   Chest Wall Anomaly Center, Shriners Hospital for Children Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

04 June 2018

13 June 2018

Publication Date:
15 August 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Pectus carinatum has traditionally been described as a rare chest wall anomaly in comparison to pectus excavatum. However, recent data from chest wall anomaly clinics demonstrate that this deformity is probably much more frequent than once believed. In the past, invasive surgical correction by the Ravitch technique was essentially the only option for treatment of pectus carinatum. Major advances over the past two decades have provided additional options, including noninvasive chest wall bracing and minimally invasive surgical correction. This article will discuss current options for the treatment of pectus carinatum, and some of the factors that should be taken into account when choosing the options available. Diagnosis and treatment of the pectus arcuatum variant will also be described.

Keywords

pectus carinatum - arcuatum - bracing - surgical correction - treatment - outcomes
 

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