03/02/2026
Pectus Carinatum
Protrusion deformity of the anterior chest wall.
1 per 1500 live births.
Four times more common in males than in females.
25% family history.
Exact cause : unknown.
Other mechanisms:
Abnormal costal cartilage growth abnormal growth of the sternum or ribs
Vitamin D or calcium deficiency
Associated with several disorders or syndromes:
Physical examination findings —
Increase in AP diameter.
Chest wall movements reduced.
Tenderness on palpation
Chest imaging needed???
Chest Xray
CT chest for preoperative planning.
Timing of referral —Referral To a thoracic surgeon as soon as pectus carinatum becomes apparent.
The timing of bracing or surgical intervention depends on the age of the child and the severity and progression of the deformity.
Children 5 to 10 years - Bracing
Puberty - Surgery
Whether to treat ???
Pectus carinatum is primarily a cosmetic rather than a functional concern.
●Candidates for bracing racing is offered to patients with mild or moderate pectus carinatum.
●Candidates for surgery – Surgery is more likely to be effective than bracing for patients with:
•Severe pectus carinatum
•Unwilling or unable to adhere to a rigorous bracing schedule
•Inflexible chest walls (eg, patients in late puberty or older)
•Chondromanubrial prominence (pectus arcuatum)
•Moderate or severe sternal asymmetry
