Abstract
Pectus carinatum has traditionally been described as a rare chest wall anomaly in
comparison to pectus excavatum. However, recent data from chest wall anomaly clinics
demonstrate that this deformity is probably much more frequent than once believed.
In the past, invasive surgical correction by the Ravitch technique was essentially
the only option for treatment of pectus carinatum. Major advances over the past two
decades have provided additional options, including noninvasive chest wall bracing
and minimally invasive surgical correction. This article will discuss current options
for the treatment of pectus carinatum, and some of the factors that should be taken
into account when choosing the options available. Diagnosis and treatment of the pectus
arcuatum variant will also be described.
Keywords
pectus carinatum - arcuatum - bracing - surgical correction - treatment - outcomes
