Pectus Disorders

This article reviews pectus excavatum, carinatum, and arcuatum. Topics covered include etiology, epidemiology, associated syndromes, physiologic impact, workup, indications for treatment, surgical and nonsurgical therapy, results, complications, and emerging therapies. Pectus excavatum is an inward deformation of the sternum and/or anterior chest wall. Pectus carinatum is ether an outward protrusion or tilt of the sternum with potential psychological impact, but no demonstrated physiologic impact. Nonoperative compression bracing is successful in carinatum patients with chest wall flexibility who are compliant with a bracing program. Pectus arcuatum is an abnormally short, fully fused sternum with a high anterior protrusion.