Establishment of a Specialized Pectus Clinic: Referral Patterns, Diagnostic Characteristics, and Early Management...

To describe the establishment and early impact of a dedicated pectus clinic at a university hospital, focusing on patient characteristics, referral pathways, clinical presentation, and initial management strategies.

A retrospective observational study was conducted at a university hospital between January 2020 and April 2025, with 153 patients included in the final analysis. Data collected included demographic characteristics, referral sources, clinical presentation, deformity type, and treatment options. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.

The mean patient age was 18.3 (range 1-44) years, with males accounting for 83.9% of cases. Pectus carinatum was the most common diagnosis (48.1%), followed by pectus excavatum (42.3%). Patient-initiated referrals, including those influenced by digital and social media platforms, represented 63.2% of referrals. Psychosocial concerns were the main presenting complaint in 60.6% of patients, whereas isolated functional symptoms were reported in 9%. Annual visits increased progressively throughout the study period. Non-operative treatment was commonly used for pectus carinatum, while surgical management was more frequent for pectus excavatum.

A dedicated pectus clinic improved access to specialized care and supported structured management. The high proportion of patient-initiated referrals highlights the growing role of non-traditional referral pathways. The specialized clinic improved awareness, standardized the care, and addressed unmet needs in patients with pectus deformities.