Pectus Carinatum

Pectus carinatum is characterized by a protrusion of the sternum that occurs as a result of an abnormal and unequal growth of the costal cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. Rather than growing flat along the chest wall, the costal cartilages grow outward pushing the sternum forward.

Pectus carinatum is reported to occur less commonly than pectus excavatum; however, this may be associated with disorders including heart disease, scoliosis, kyphosis and musculoskeletal defects. There can be asymmetry of the chest with one side more prominent than the other.

What is the cause of pectus carinatum?

The cause of pectus carinatum is not known. This deformity occurs in approximately 1 out of 1500 children, often runs in families, and is seen more commonly in males than females. The deformity presents later in childhood than pectus excavatum and becomes more severe as the child grows. Some children with pectus carinatum report that they have chest pain and shortness of breath or limited stamina with exercise. Other children have no symptoms. Surgery may not alleviate chest pain.>

How is pectus carinatum treated?

The standard treatment is bracing of the chest wall. This is done by custom fitting a circumferential external brace that puts sustained force on the most prominent portion of the sternum or cartilages in order to cause regression or flattening of the chest wall. Bracing is done by an orthotist skilled in care of children with chest wall deformities. 

Children can be braced in childhood through adolescence with good results. The brace must be worn throughout the day and night to be most effective and often for a period of many months to more than a year. Younger children often respond faster that teenagers but must be followed for recurrence during puberty. Children undergoing external chest wall bracing will be followed by both the orthotist and the pediatric surgeon. 

How is bracing handled at UCSF? 

At UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital bracing is done by an orthotist trained in the care of children with chest wall deformities. The orthotics and prosthetics Center facility is located at:

521 Parnassus Ave., Room C-36 
San Francisco, CA. 94143
Phone 415-476-1788
Fax 415-476-7003

When is surgical treatment considered for pectus carinatum?

Surgery is usually not needed and only offered if bracing does not result in the desired correction or if the child has completed puberty and the skeleton is too stiff to respond to bracing. Surgical repair (Ravitch procedure) is done through a horizontal chest incision across the mid chest. In this repair, the abnormal costal cartilages are removed, preserving the lining that covers the outside of the cartilage, allowing the sternum to b

e pushed downward in a more normal position. This procedure takes several hours. 

In certain patients, an osteotomy (a break) in the sternum is done to allow the sternum to be positioned downward. In addition, to keep the sternum in the desired position after the removal of the cartilages and the osteotomy, a temporary metal chest strut (bar) may need to be placed.

What is the care in the hospital following surgery? 

The surgical repair of pectus carinatum is a painful procedure. Length of stay in the hospital is determined primarily by pain control. 

Anesthesia and and care at time of surgery

At the time of surgery, an epidural catheter will be placed in your child’s back for continuous local anesthesia and will stay in place for several days. While the epidural is in place, a urinary catheter will drain urine from the bladder. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be inserted for giving fluids and IV medications. Sometimes nasal oxygen is needed and sometimes the surgeon will place a tube to drain fluid from the surgical area. All of these therapies are temporary and will be discontinued when no longer needed, usually before discharge. 

Day after surgery

Your child will be expected to get up out of bed and walk the day following surgery and will need to practice deep breathing in order to keep the lungs healthy and prevent pneumonia.

Constipation

Constipation is a common problem for children on narcotics. Laxatives will be started in the hospital and should be continued, as needed, at home after discharge. 

Hospital Discharge

Children will be discharged when they are comfortable on oral pain medication, are eating and drinking without difficulty and have no fever or signs of an infection. If a surgical drain was placed at the time of the operation, your child may go home with the drain in place. The nursing staff will teach you how to take care of the drain while your child is at home. The drain is usually removed at the first clinic visit.

Homecare After Surgery

Children who have a chest strut placed during Ravitch procedure will be seen at least annually after the first postoperative visit. The chest strut is expected to stay in place for 2-3 years. 

• A shower can be taken 5 days after surgery. Have your child take the film dressing off before the shower and leave the tape strips in place. These will fall off on their own.
• There are no stitches to be removed. These are under the skin and dissolvable.
• Narcotic pain management may be required for up to one month after surgery. 
• Constipation is a common problem, and daily use of laxatives while on narcotics is recommended. 
• Redness or swelling of the incision(s) should be reported as soon as noted.
• If you child is discharged with a drain in place, it will be removed in the surgical office when the draining had stopped. 
• Sports may be resumed as soon as the surgeon determines this is safe.