Pectus Carinatum

Alejandro Suarez-Pierre, MD, Robert Meguid, MD MPH FACS, Mustafa Yuksel, MD, Nezih Onur Ermerak, MD

Key Points

  • Pectus carinatum is the anterior protrusion of the costochondral joints and the second most common chest wall deformity.
  • There are fewer cardiopulmonary restrictions and symptoms when compared to pectus excavatum. The decision to correct is largely based on the degree of psychosocial impact experienced by the patient.
  • Young patients with a malleable chest wall are amenable to nonoperative correction with external dynamic compression systems.
  • Pubescent and adult patients with lower degree of thoracic ossification are candidates for the Abramson procedure, a minimally invasive operation to place a presternal metallic bar to provide intrinsic compression. This bar is usually removed 2-3 years after placement.
  • Skeletally mature patients or those with mixed pectus deformities may undergo the Ravitch procedure which consists of sternoplasty and costal chondral excision to realign the sternum.

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