Its Latin name is Pectoralis excavatum, pitted chest, or also known as sunken or funnel chest. It is a deformity in the chest wall as a result of the ribs and sternum growing inward, causing holes or deepening in the chest,” he explained. Doctor Regulu AvilaHead of the hospital's minimally invasive thoracic surgery unit Roper International.
In Spain, this disease is generally found among 1 in 300-400 and 1 in 1000 live births. Interestingly enough, it is Three times more common in boys than in girls. But, in any case, we are talking about the most common thoracic deformity.
Is it serious? Does it cause any inconvenience?
This deformity It is present from birth and, on many occasions, is practically unnoticed until adolescence The crack that forms tends to become worse due to the rapid growth of the layer child.
Inspite of that The exact cause of a chiseled chest is unclearIt is thought to be associated with abnormal growth of costal cartilage leading to recession of the sternum and ribs.
Does it cause any discomfort?
Well, according to Dr. Avila, Rib cage symptoms depend on the severity of the condition:
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the Mild cases can be asymptomatic Or you have mild symptoms, such as:Chest odorThis is what happens in most cases.”
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The specialist confirms that V In more serious cases, the patient may be more affected by symptoms such as “difficulty in functioning.” Physical exerciseChest pain or palpitation“, among other things.”
Surgery as the only treatment
In the vast majority of cases, a chiseled chest does not cause problemsAlthough the intervention of a physical therapist can help improve posture and breathing.
As for In more serious cases, the best way to resolve the deformity is surgerywhich is also used by mild patients for one Purely aesthetic issue.
To treat this deepening in the chest, thoracic surgeons use two techniques:
1. Open or modified Ravitch procedure
“It consists of the performance of A Costal cartilage resection and sternum correction“, explains the specialist.
2. Nos procedure.
“It is done through Put a back bar Which modifies the structure of the chest.
3. But Dr. Regulu Avila performs another type of surgery, which is to place a posterior prosthesis.
As he himself explains, the procedure consists first of performing “a CT scan of the patient’s chest, through which the defect in the chest is reconstructed, and we design Custom 3D suit Each one”.
Once the prosthesis is made, it is attached to the patient who will receive one Only about 24 hours after surgery. And then the patient He was discharged with oral analgesiaAnd you will have to wear one Bandage the area for about two weeks on.
This intervention is considered “compared to other procedures Very simple and less painful“The most interesting thing is from the point of view of analgesics, because it is enough to take paracetamol or ibuprofen,” the surgeon confirms.
Regarding the type of patients who can undergo this technique, Dr. Avila points out the following:
- “It is only indicated in patients without respiratory dysfunction“.
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In addition, a posterior prosthesis is placed It can only be done in adulthood “This is when the sternum is fully developed.”
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