General Information About Pectus Excavatum
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a condition where the breastbone (sternum) located in the front middle of the rib cage is sunken inwards towards the back bones, forming a hollow (like a funnel).
It is a connective and cartilage tissue disease with genetic transmission. The abnormal growth of the cartilages attached to the breastbone pulls the bone inward.
Mild indentations are merely an aesthetic problem. However, deep depressions (hollows) can exert physical pressure on the right heart and lungs, leading to shortness of breath with exertion, chest pain, and heart palpitations.
Distortion of body image, especially during adolescence, causes a serious lack of self-confidence in the child, shame about taking off their t-shirt (avoiding the sea/pool), and social isolation.
At early ages, while the bones are still flexible, the indentation can be treated non-surgically by pulling the bone outward with a 'Vacuum Bell' device placed on the chest from the outside.
It is a modern and closed (minimally invasive) method. A curved steel/titanium bar is placed behind the breastbone under camera guidance by making small incisions on both sides of the chest. By turning the bar, the sunken bone is immediately pushed out and the shape is corrected; the bar is removed after 2-3 years.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
