[Quality of life evaluation of the patients and parents satisfaction after Nuss procedure in the management of Pectus Excavatum].
Pectus Excavatum is the most common congenital deformity of the chest. Although Pectus Excavatum can be associated with heart or lung problems, the main indication for surgical correction of this congenital anomaly is the body image dissatisfaction. The Nuss technique is a minimally invasive procedure that allows the placement of an intrathoracic prosthetic convex bar, previously bended, which mobilize the sternum anteriorly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of satisfaction of the patients and parents after the application of the Nuss technique using the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire. All parameters of psychosocial character - self-image, difficulties in exposing the chest, frustration, sadness, social isolation and ridicule - found a statistically significant improvement after surgical correction of Pectus Excavatum from the perspective of patients and their parents. There was not a marked improvement and consensus regarding the overall physical performance of patients. Which is understandable, since, theoretically, the physical deformity is not responsible for significant limitations on exertion. The current surgical correction of Pectus Excavatum by the Nuss technique allows obtaining aesthetic results of the chest with the resolution of the main problems with body image. Increase awareness of health issues for psychosocial and physical factors which might be involved in this kind of deformities is important, especially when there is a satisfactory solution.
Instituto de Investigação em Ciências da Vida e da Saúde (ICVS), Escola de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade do Minho e Laboratório Associado 3Bs da ICVS e Serviços de Cirurgia Pediátrica dos Hospitais de Braga e de S. João, Porto, Portugal.
Tony R
TR
Soares
Tiago
T
Henriques-Coelho
João
J
Vilaça
Ana Raquel
AR
Silva
José Luis
JL
Carvalho
Jorge
J
Correia-Pinto
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005660:Funnel Chest / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life