Overcorrection during treatment of pectus deformities with DCC orthoses: experience in 17 cases

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

Prevalência de pectus carinatum e pectus excavatum em escolares de Manaus Prevalence of pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum in students in the city of Manaus, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência das deformidades congênitas da parede torácica anterior em escolares de 11 a 14 anos. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo escolares da rede estadual de ensino da cidade de Manaus (AM). Para a composição de uma amostra estatisticamente significativa, com precisão de 1% e IC95%, foram incluídos 1.332 escolares. A deformidade pectus foi identificada através de exame físico do tórax, e os indivíduos com esta deformidade responderam a um questionário com questões sobre hereditariedade e sintomatologia decorrente da anomalia torácica. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos participantes foi de 11,7 anos. A prevalência da deformidade pectus foi de 1,95% (pectus excavatum: 1,275%; pectus carinatum: 0,675%). Dos 26 escolares com deformidades pectus, 17 (65,4%) tinham pectus excavatum, e 18 (69,2%) eram do sexo masculino. Houve associação com a escoliose em 3 casos (11,5%). História familiar de pectus foi relatada por 17 escolares (65,4%), e 17 (65,4%) relataram dor torácica, dispneia ou palpitações. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência das deformidades pectus encontrada neste estudo (1,95%) foi inferior àquela de trabalhos em outras regiões do país (3,6-4,9%), porém, superior àquela relatada na literatura (média, 1%).<br>OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of congenital anterior chest wall deformities in 11- to 14-year-old students. METHODS: Students participating in the study were recruited from public schools in the city of Manaus, Brazil. The statistically significant sample (precision, 1%; 95% CI) comprised 1,332 students. Pectus deformities were identified by physical examination of the chest, and the individuals with one of these deformities completed a questionnaire regarding heredity and symptoms resulting from the chest abnormality. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 11.7 years. The prevalence of pectus abnormalities was 1.95% (pectus excavatum: 1.275%; pectus carinatum: 0.675%). Of the 26 students with a pectus deformity, 17 (65.4%) had pectus excavatum, and 18 (69.2%) were male. Concomitant scoliosis was observed in 3 cases (11.5%). A family history of pectus was reported by 17 students (65.4%), and 17 (65.4%) reported chest pain, dyspnea or palpitations. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of pectus deformities (1.95%) was lower than that reported in other studies conducted in Brazil (3.6-4.9%) but was higher than that reported in the literature (mean, 1%)