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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you or your child has pectus excavatum, you might first discuss the matter with your family doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in orthopedic surgery.
What you can do
You may want to write a list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of the signs and symptoms
- Information about past medical problems
- Information about medical problems common in your family
- All the medications and dietary supplements you or your child takes
- Questions you want to ask the doctor, including what treatments are available
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:
- When did these signs and symptoms begin?
- Have they worsened recently?
- Has anyone else in your family had a similar problem?
References
- Boas SR. Skeletal diseases influencing pulmonary function. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2011.
- Tzelepis GE, et al. Pectus excavatum. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192068760-2/0/1288/0.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2011.
- Mayer OH. Pectus excavatum: Etiology and evaluation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2011.
- Jaroszewski DE, et al. Current management of pectus excavatum: A review and update of therapy and treatment recommendations. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2010;23:230.
- Mayer OH. Pectus excavatum: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2011.
- What is Marfan syndrome? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/mar/mar_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 18, 2011.
- What is scoliosis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scoliosis/scoliosis_ff.asp. Accessed Feb. 18, 2011.
- What is mitral valve prolapse? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/mvp/mvp_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 18, 2011.
- Sugarbaker DJ, et al. Chest wall deformities: Depression deformities (pectus excavatum). In: Townsend CM Jr, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1565/0.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2011.
- Jaroszewski DE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. March 8, 2011.
- Kelly RE, et al. Twenty-one years of experience with minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum by the Nuss procedure in 1215 patients. Annals of Surgery. 2010;252:1072.
- Nasr A, et al. Comparison of the Nuss and the Ravitch procedure for pectus excavatum repair: A meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2010;45:880.
- Coelho MS, et al. Pectus excavatum surgery: Sternochondroplasty versus Nuss procedure. Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2009;88:1773.
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