Chest wall deformities

Chest wall deformities are principally depression deformities, the most common being pectus excavatum (funnel chest). The most common protrusion deformity is pectus carinatum (pigeon breast). Pectus carinatum is a cosmetic problem, but its presence can be psychologically devastating to the patient. Pectus excavatum is definitely a physiologic problem, the effects of which may be reversible by surgical correction. Surgery is safe, complications are minimal, and results are usually satisfactory.