HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Naef, A. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Naef, A. P.

Ann Thorac Surg 1976;21:63-66
© 1976 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Articles

The Surgical Treatment of Pectus Excavatum

An Experience with 90 Operations

Department of Surgery, Yverdon Hospital, Yverdon, and the Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Accepted for publication June 26, 1975.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr. Naef, Yverdon Hospital, 1400 Yverdon, Switzerland

Funnel chest, a congenital hereditary deformity, may lead to impairment of cardiopulmonary function. The predominant motives for operation are psychological and cosmetic. Patients with minor deformities amenable to physiotherapy should not be operated upon, but moderately severe defects justify surgical intervention. Objective photographic documentation is essential. Because of their importance to surgical technique and results, the symmetrical, asymmetrical, localized, and extensive deformities should be distinguished.

Ninety operations were performed between 1951 and 1974 according to the various techniques known during that period. Results were irregular until the introduction eight years ago of an operation combining extensive resection according to Ravitch and stabilization by a metal strut as recommended by Adkins and others. Of 24 operations performed during the last eight years, 23 have given excellent long-term results.