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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffPectus excavatum can be surgically repaired, but your insurance might not pay for the procedure because it's often classified as cosmetic surgery. Study results have been conflicting about whether surgical repair of pectus excavatum actually improves heart and lung function.
Most people who have had the surgery say it has improved their physical appearance and has made it easier for them to exercise.
- Boas SR. Skeletal diseases influencing pulmonary function. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119560986-3/801968939/1608/977.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50418-7--subchapter1_7989. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Kelly RE, et al. Surgical repair of pectus excavatum markedly improves body image and perceived ability for physical activity: Multicenter study. Pediatrics. 2008;122;1218.
- Pectus excavatum. The American Pediatric Surgical Association. http://www.eapsa.org/parents/resources/pectus_excav.cfm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is Marfan syndrome? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/mar/mar_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- 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. 9, 2009.
- 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. 9, 2009.
- Chest X-ray (chest radiography). American College of Radiology. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=chestrad. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- CT: Chest. American College of Radiology. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestct. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is an electrocardiogram? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/echo/echo_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Malek MH, et al. Cardiovascular function following surgical repair of pectus excavatum: A meta-analysis. Chest. 2006;130:506.
- Johnson JN, et al. Cardiorespiratory function after operation for pectus excavatum. Journal of Pediatrics. 2008;153:359.
