No abstract

Sternal growth seems to have an important influence on the development of carinatum superior; partial influence on carinatum inferior, carinatum lateral, and excavatum localized; and no influence on excavatum wide pectus deformities. The endochondral growth of the sternum and costal arches is an important concept that aids in the interpretation of imaging studies and the orthopedic approach to management of these deformities in children and adolescents.

The authors summarize a 32-year experience in the study and in the non-operative approach of pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum. Data of 4,012 patients with pectus deformities were collected from 1977 to January 2009, allowing evaluation on the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of these deformities. Growth disturbances of anterior chest wall bones and cartilages were detected in imaging studies. Heredity, and biomechanical factors, like respiratory disturbances and scoliosis were noticed in more than 40% of the patients. The method of dynamic remodeling of the thorax – compressive orthoses simultaneously to exercises practice – was indicated in 2453 patients. Concomitant treatment with bending brace was provided in patients with 20° to 52° scoliosis. Of pectus patients with treatment indication, 1717 returned for re-evaluation: 1632 children and adolescents and 85 adults. Good results were seen in 60.6% of children and adolescents and in 27% of adults treated. No scoliosis patient presented curve worsening, and a case of 52° presented an improvement of 20° in the scoliosis with the treatment. Disturbances in the growth of the sternum and costal arches, as well as biomechanical factors related to the pathogenesis of pectus deformities, demonstrate how these deformities are correlated to orthopaedics. Appropriate evaluation of the anterior chest wall and concomitant treatment with bending brace are recommended in the presence of scoliosis. The dynamic remodeling method of the thorax requires a protocol of medical actions for a successful treatment.

Treatment of pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum with dynamic chest compressor (DCC) orthoses have been reported by Haje and others. The goal of this study was to demonstrate that overcorrection during orthotic treatment of children and adolescents with pectus deformities can occur and requires medical attention. Of 3,028 children and adolescents with pectus deformities, observed between 1977 and October 2005, 1,824 were prescribed treatment with DCC orthoses and, after a few months of treatment, some overcorrection was noted in 30 patients. Of the patients who received orthoses, 738 had a minimum follow-up of 1 year and 17 of these, 2 with pectus excavatum and 15 with pectus carinatum, presented overcorrection and were studied. The dynamic remodeling method (DCC orthoses + exercises) was applied. The procedures, adopted according to each patient's needs, were: decreasing the time of orthosis wear and/or the tightening of the screws, introducing a second orthosis, and improving the prescribed exercises and/or encouraging the patient to perform them more intensively. The therapy was successful in all patients, and the result was maintained in one case of pectus excavatum followed up until adulthood. It was concluded that overcorrection during DCC orthosis wear can occur and that careful medical follow-up is necessary if this complication is to be successfully reversed.

The features studied and the index provide measurable and applicable data for the interpretation of anterior chest wall tomography, with possible implications for prognosis and treatment of different types of pectus deformities.

A boy underwent cardiac surgery when he was 27 months old; prior to that his anterior chest wall had been normal. He later developed a progressive pectus carinatum deformity. Thoracic surgeons are cautioned to be mindful of the sternal and costal growth plates in any surgical approach to intrathoracic structures. Special care is needed when such deformities are corrected in children and adolescents.

RESUMOOs autores resumem experiência de 32 anos no estudo e na abordagem não cirúrgica das deformidades pectus carinatum e pectus excavatum. Dados de 4.012 pacientes portadores de deformidades pectus foram coletados de 1977 a janeiro de 2009, permitindo avaliar sua etiologia, patogênese e tratamento. Distúrbios de crescimento dos ossos e cartilagens da parede torácica anterior foram detectados em exames de imagem. A hereditariedade e fatores biomecânicos, como distúrbios respiratórios e escolioses, mostraram-se presentes em mais de 40% dos pacientes. O método dinâmico de remodelação do tórax -órteses compressivas simultaneamente à prática de exercícios -foi indicado em 2.453 pacientes. Tratamento concomitante com colete inclinado foi instituído em 11 portadores de escoliose entre 20º e 52º. Dos portadores de pectus que tiveram o tratamento indicado, 1.717 retornaram para reavaliação: 1.632 crianças e adolescentes e 85 adultos. Bons resultados foram observados em 60,6% das crianças e adolescentes e em 27% dos adultos tratados. Nenhum caso de escoliose apresentou piora da curva e um caso de 52° teve melhora de 20º com o tratamento. Distúrbios no crescimento do esterno e arcos costais, bem como os fatores biomecânicos que compõem a patogênese das deformidades pectus, demonstram como essas deformidades estão correlacionadas com a ortopedia. Avaliação apropriada da parede torácica anterior e tratamento concomitante com colete inclinado são recomendados na presença de escoliose. O método dinâmico de remodelação do tórax exige um protocolo de condutas médicas para que o tratamento tenha êxito. Descritores -

OBJECTIVE:To investigate a concomitant orthotic treatment for coexisting scoliosis and pectus deformities. No detailed study on such concomitancy was found in literature. METHODS: A spine bending brace for use day and night, and dynamic chest compressor orthoses for use four hours a day, along with one hour of exercises, were prescribed. From 638 adolescents, 25 met the inclusion criteria for a retrospective study. Two groups of patients were identified: A (15 compliant patients) and B (10 non-compliant patients). The mean follow-up was 27 months for group A and 21 months for group B. Pre and post- treatment clinical signs of scoliosis and pectus were photographically compared. The scoliosis had radiologic evaluation by Cobb angle and Nash-Moe classification for vertebral rotation. RESULTS: For both conditions, scoliosis and pectus deformities, the outcome was significantly better in the compliant group (p<0.001 for both). One highly compliant adolescent with a 52º scoliosis and pectus carinatum, showed a surprising improvement to 27º after 40 months of treatment, when chest braces were interrupted and the weaning from the spine brace has started. A 34º scoliosis was maintained after 60 months of follow-up, with vertebral rotation improvement. CONCLUSION: The concomitant orthotic treatment yielded preliminary positive results for compliant patients, warranting investigation continuity.