Pectus Excavatum (funnel chest)??

[jolampard]

My son has got this. I have taken him to the doctors and was told he would be half dead if it was bad. That was it?? I have booked another appointment for this friday. i want to know eevrything about this. Can anyone help me??? I have read alot on the internet but need to know what needs to done or what can be done? Thanks
Jo

[Octavius]

Oh dear, poor thing. How old is he, because it depends on how developed the sternum is.

A minimally invasive method is the Nuss procedure which involves slipping in one or more concave steel bars into the chest, underneath the sternum. The bar is flipped to a convex position so as to push outward on the sternum, correcting the deformity. The bar usually stays in the body for about two years, and when the bones have solidified into place, the bar is removed through outpatient surgery.

Pectus excavatum can also reportedly be treated with a dermal filler called Bio-Alcamid.

Mild cases have reportedly been treated with corset-like orthopedic support vests and exercise.

[jolampard]

Hi, my son is just 2 years old. We always knew he had an inwards chest but no doctors ever noticed it so we didnt think anything of it till my sister in law found out about it.

[Octavius]

There are non-surgical procedures as well, but the results of these are inconclusive. The most recognised & successful procedure is the Ravitich procedures but this would not normally be done on someone under the age of 6. The Nuss procedure is also recommended for 5-15 year olds and a study is being carried out in the UK evaluate it's effectiveness.

The best people to advise you will be the specialists who can physically examine your son. I would go along to the appointment with a list of queries and any concerns you have so that you get full understanding of the situation.

[jolampard]

My doctor has told me he is fine and thats it, he seemed like he was in a rush, what i am worried about if i leave it could it cause problmes when he is older for him, if so should'nt this doctor of told me about things that could happen in the future and what to look out for.
I have only got the information I have found on the net and feel quite confused weather i need to make a fuss about someone seeing him, as from what i can tell by the net he has it quite a big gap in his chest.

[Octavius]

You need reassurance - of course, who wouldn't.

If you feel your doctor is not giving you the advice, support and information you need then you should tell them. If you are still unsatisfied, then ask to see another doctor or a specialist.

Please don't get too worked up by what you see on the internet, most of these are extreme cases. As I said above, the best people to advise will be those people who have your child in front of them.

[Young_Man_]

www.pectusinfo.com

www.pectusinfo.co.uk