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
