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What are Pectus Deformities?

Chest deformities like pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are quite common in teenagers. Particularly in an age of social media and body shaming, the physical appearance of both conditions can be very challenging for some adolescents. LOC clinicians are very much aware of this as we have discussed the psychological impact with parents and directly with patients. Patients are unwilling to take their t-shirts off, go swimming or put themselves in any position where they might reveal their chests. Not surprisingly both parents and teenagers are looking for an answer. Surgery on the NHS used to be an option but even before the pandemic that option had become increasingly unavailable since the condition was deemed to be largely cosmetic and no risk to physical health. LOC has been offering a non-surgical solution to the problem since 2010. Our treatment combines bespoke chest braces with a very specific set of exercises.

CAUSES

What causes Pectus Deformities?

There is no unified opinion on causation, but there is evidence to suggest that both pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum can be inherited conditions. We are indebted to the late Dr Haje for the information that follows. Dr Haje was widely regarded as the world's leading authority on the non-surgical treatment of pectus deformities. We have summarised his audit of the 4,346 patients he treated in the following page. Read more about Dr Haje Above: Dr Haje training LOC staff in 2010

TREATMENT

Non-Surgical Treatment

The London Orthotic Consultancy's pectus treatment is non-surgical and involves wearing a bespoke brace or orthosis called a 'Dynamic Chest Compressor', combined with a programme of daily exercises. LOC has pioneered this method of treatment in the UK. Although the optimum age for non-surgical treatment is during puberty, the key determining factor is the pliability of the chest wall so older patients can also benefit if there is a ‘give’ in their chest wall. For further information about our non-surgical treatment programme and the use of orthoses, read about our non-surgical pectus treatment.

Surgical Treatment

Most NHS trusts no longer recommend surgery for pectus carinatum and pectus carinatum as the conditions are considered to be cosmetic and no threat to physical health. Privately the type of surgery performed in the UK is either the Nuss or Ravitch procedures. The Nuss procedure is minimally invasive compared to the Ravitch. Good results have been reported from both types of surgery and patients are generally pleased with the improvement in chest shape. However, these procedures do not address the problem of rib flaring, which is fairly common, and patients can be left with visible surgical scarring. Read more about treatment for pectus deformities.  

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