CENTERPEDES

How do you treat pectus Carinatum?

Pectus carinatum can be treated with either a brace or surgery. If the child's bones are still growing, a brace can help flatten the chest. The brace is worn up to 23 hours a day and symptoms usually begin improving in just a few months.

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There are two different types of pectus carinatum

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Chondrogladiolar prominence

This type of pectus carinatum is also called “chicken breast” and is the most common form of the condition. Here, the middle and lower sections of the breastbone push forward.

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Chondromanubrial prominence

This type of pectus carinatum is also called “Pouter pigeon breast” and is a more rare and complex form of the condition. Here, the breastbone develops in a Z-shape, with the top section pushing forward.

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The standard treatment approach for pectus carinatum in children with a mild to moderate form of the condition is orthotic bracing. This involves a custom-fitted brace that fits on the outside of the chest.

 

The purpose of the brace is to place pressure on the area most affected by the condition, to flatten it to the chest.

To see any effects, a child will need to wear a brace for at least 8 hours a day for several months, according to doctor’s instructions.

 

A child may need to wear the brace until they have gone through puberty.

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Pectus Carinatum (PC), sometimes referred to as “pidgeon chest” is a deformity of the chest characterized by an outwards protrusion of the chest. It occurs when the breast bone (sternum) is getting pushed outwards by the growth of the ribs and/or sternum itself. The cause of Pectus Carinatum is not fully understood but appears to be genetic. It develops during the growth spurts of adolescence children and it is more common in boys than girls in the ratio 3:1. PC is more rare than the other chest deformity called Pectus Excavatum (PE) in which the chest collapses inwards.

PC deformity usually occurs during growth spurts and the growth plates in the sternum and ribs cause the sternum to start protruding outwards. It is most severe during the adolescent growth spurt. Once the child is done growing the deformity will not usually increase. If untreated, adults can experience increasing symptoms over time. Patients left with a residual deformity once they are done growing can do body building exercises to help to hide the deformity. Although these exercises can be effective in reducing the appearance the ribs and cartilage of the chest wall are not improved by exercises.