[Funnel chest deformities: operative treatment (author's transl)]

The frequency of chest deformities is 1:100; operative treatment, however, is necessary in only 1:1000 patients with such a deformity. The most frequent deformity--in 91%--is the funnel chest. Chicken breast, combined types, and fissures of the sternum are seldom seen. Indications for operative treatment are: deformity of more than 25% of the normal sagittal diameter of the chest; heart failure and the degree of pathologic signs on the EKG; alterations of the vertebral column; psychologic aspects. Our operative procedure consists of double cartilage incision and stabilization of the chest with a metal strut.