Non-surgical treatment of pectus excavatum in children

Česká verzia

Authors: B. Špaková ¹; M. Molnár ¹; M. Gura ¹; F. Olekšák ²; D. Murgaš ¹; M. Dragula ¹
Authors place of work: Klinika detskej chirurgie, Jesseniova lekárska fakulta v Martine, Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, Univerzitná nemocnica Martin, Slovensko ¹; Klinika detí a dorastu, Jesseniova lekárska fakulta v Martine, Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, Univerzitná nemocnica Martin, Slovensko ²
Published in the journal: Čes-slov Pediat 2021; 76 (7): 392-399.
Category: Review

Summary

Pectus excavatum is the most common type of chest deformity. It is usually asymptomatic, but patients suffering from severe forms may experience increased fatigue, exercise dyspnoea, chest pain, palpitations and/or decreased tolerance to physical activity. Psychological difficulties associated with this diagnosis stem from patients' perceiving the deformity as a disability and causing them to avoid activities with an exposed chest (e. g. swimming).

For a long time, the only available type of treatment was a surgical correction. An important part of the therapy is rehabilitation aimed at correcting the body posture by strengthening chest and back muscles as well as breathing exercises. In the last 15 years there has been an increase in the use of a conservative treatment using the vacuum bell. Although conclusive results based on long-term supporting evidence are lacking, the disponible studies demonstrate vacuum bell treatment is a safe option for pectus excavatum with minimal complications.

Keywords:

Physiotherapy – rehabilitation – conservative treatment – pectus excavatum – vacuum bell

Zdroje

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