Pectus Carinatum Surgery

After the physical evaluations of the patient, an Axial Computed Tomography (CAT) will be performed to assess the severity of the Pectus and perform an anatomical study with measurements for the preparation of the bars that will be used in the surgery.

The patient will also undergo tests to check for a metal allergy.
The surgery is performed through three bilateral incisions of 3 centimeters each. Small resections are made in the rib bones and titanium plates are affixed. Then three metal bars are placed across to compress the sternum and are attached to the plates.

The results are immediate and after three years a new surgery will be performed, also with small incisions and minimally invasive techniques, to remove the bars. The recovery period is about seven days, when the patient can gradually resume normal activities.

Scars are small, recovery is fast. There is a significant improvement in the quality of life, which occurs mainly by overcoming psychological and self-esteem problems.

It is also observed in some patients the association of other diseases such as asthma and scoliosis. Pectus is the generic name for congenital deformities that occur in the anterior chest wall. The causes of these alterations are still being studied, but they may be associated with genetic diseases such as Marfan Syndrome.