Pectus excavatum; a clinical study with long term postoperavtive follow-up

There are divergent views about the harm that pectus excavatum and related chest deformities does to the respiratory and heart function. The indications for surgery and the optimal age for surgical intervention are debatable. In this study 37 operated and 38 nonoperated cases of about the same severity have been followed for more than ten years and examined after the age of 18 years. The examination included socio-economic, cosmetic and cardio-pulmonary function aspects. It could be shown that from the psychological aspect there were no significant differences between the operated and the non-operated cases. The tendency to contract bronchopneumonia is not influenced by operation. The physical working capacity was the same in the two groups. The operated cases have slightly lower pulmonary function values that the non-operated in spite of the fact that the non-operated group at the time of follow-up included the more seveee cases. Age at operation did not seem to be of any importance for the long-term results. The lower pulmonary function capacity in the operated cases is thought to be attributed to a restriction secondary to the operation. There are also indications that pectus excavatum tends to become less pronounced with increasing age. The study supports a restrictive attitude towards surgery.