Dynamic Compression System: An Effective Nonoperative Treatment for Pectus Carinatum: A Single Center Experience in Basel, Switzerland

Abstract

Background Several nonoperative treatments are currently available for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC).

Objective The objective of this study is to report our single center experience with the dynamic compression system (DCS).

Materials and Methods The DCS is a rigid aluminum brace. PC is reshaped into a normal appearance through anterior–posterior pressure and lateral expansion of the chest. Patients with chondrogladiolar PC were considered suitable for the nonoperative treatment with DCS.

Results In this study, 53 of 68 children (78%) with chondrogladiolar PC were assessed retrospectively: 2 children were corrected by surgery, 12/53 (23%) treated by a conventional orthesis, 11/53 (21%) remained without therapy because of minor PC, and 36/53 (68%) were treated using the DCS. Of these 36 patients, 17 (47%) are already cured with a good (7/17) to excellent (10/17) cosmetic result after a median treatment period of 9 months (range, 2.5–16 months). The mean daily time of wearing of the device for those 17 patients was 9 hours (range, 5–18). None abandoned the treatment and there were almost no complications.

Conclusions Lateral expansion of the chest and the possibility to measure the applied pressure seemed to be the key to DCSs success. We propose the DCS as first choice in the treatment of chondrogladiolar PC in children.

Keywords

pectus carinatum - dynamic compression system - bracing - conservative treatment - pigeon breast

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