title: A study about the costoclavicular space in patients with pectus excavatum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study is to investigate the costoclavicular space in patients with pectus excavatum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April and November 2011, consecutive 50 patients with pectus excavatum and consecutive 50 patients without pectus excavatum were included into the present study. The costoclavicular measurements (the shortest distance, the crossing angle) were measured for the costoclavicular investigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Firstly, there were no significant differences of the costoclavicular measurements in each and between symmetric and asymmetric subgroup, and in the overall, bilaterally. The shortest distance had a significant positive correlation with BMI (right p = 0.001, left p = 0.032) and a significant negative correlation with the crossing angle (right p = 0.013, left p = 0.001). Secondly, in the control group, the shortest distance had significant positive correlations with body weight and BMI (Body weight right p = 0.001, left p < 0.001; BMI right p = 0.001, left p < 0.001), and significant negative correlations with the crossing angles (right p = 0.002, left p < 0.001) and the sternal angle (right p = 0.032, left p = 0.017). Thirdly, the control group had the significant longer shortest distance than the pectus excavatum group (right p <0.001, left p <0.001). Fourthly, a decrease of the shortest distance (right p <0.001, left p <0.001), an increase of the crossing angle (right p < 0.001, left p < 0.001) and the sternal angle (p <0.001), and also a decrease of the Haller index (p <0.001) was found postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with pectus excavatum originally have narrower costoclavicular spaces than the normal control group, and the postoperative costoclavicular space are much narrower also.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. medkjj@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Jae-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-701, Korea. hyjpark@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyung Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-701, Korea. jaekpark@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jae Kil
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ebstein8@hitel.net.
authors.forename: Deog Gon
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. swmoon@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seok Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005660:Funnel Chest / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery