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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 67(01): 067-072
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1669927
Original Thoracic
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Long-Term Results of Compressive Brace Therapy for Pectus Carinatum

Duk Hwan Moon
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of Korea
,
Min Kyun Kang
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of Korea
,
Hye Sun Lee
2   Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of Korea
,
Sungsoo Lee
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of Korea
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

09 April 2018

09 July 2018

Publication Date:
14 September 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background Pectus carinatum (PC) is one of the most common types of congenital chest wall deformity. Recently, noninvasive compressive brace therapy has been more frequently used than invasive surgical correction to treat PC. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of compressive brace therapy.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with PC who underwent compressive brace therapy between January 2014 and December 2016. All patients underwent a 2-week compression period, in which braces were worn for 20 hours per day, followed by a 6-month maintenance period, in which braces were worn for 12 hours per day. Patient satisfaction was investigated via telephone survey.

Results A total of 320 patients were included in this study. The average age was 13 years, and 280 were males (87.5%). The median follow-up period was 42 months (13–68). Good compliance was observed in 286 patients (89.4%; compliance group). In this group, the initial Haller index significantly increased from 2.20 ± 0.31 to 2.59 ± 0.38 after the 6-month therapy period (p = 0.001). After the 6-month period, 255 patients (89.1%) and 31 patients (12.1%) in the compliance group were very satisfied and satisfied, respectively. Satisfaction at the last follow-up via telephone survey was very satisfied in 250 patients (87.4%) and satisfied in 36 (12.6%). In the compliance group, no patient needed compressive braces again after the therapy period.

Conclusion Given the findings presented in this study, compressive brace therapy appears to be a relatively simple and safe method with good long-term outcome in treating patients with PC.

Keywords

chest wall deformity - pectus carinatum - compressive brace