Long-Term Evaluation 10 Years After Surgical Correction for Pectus Excavatum in Childhood

This study evaluated the effects of surgical correction for pectus excavatum, specifically sternocostal elevation, on the degree of improvement of deformity and on lung function. Lung function was tested 10 years after surgery on 76 (57 male and 19 female) patients. Ages at surgery ranged from 3 to 15 with a mean 6.4 ± 2.6 years. Ten years after surgery, the severity of depression was improved in all patients except ten (86.8%). Thirty-three (43.4%) of 76 patients had a vital capacity lower than 80% of the predicted value. But an average %VC of 80.7 ± 12.7% was obtained. The mean value of forced expiratory volume for one second was 89.9 ± 6.6% and obstructive change was not detected in all patients. D_<LCO> was 96.5 ± 15.0% and ΔN_2 was 1.10 ± 0.71. Diffusion capacity and gas distribution were both good. No significant change in pulmonary function at 5 and 10 years after surgical correction was demonstrated. We concluded that surgical correction for young patients with pectus excavatum produces excellent cosmetic results and does not affect long-term lung function