title: Surgical correction of pectus carinatum improves perceived body image, mental health and self-esteem.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of surgical correction of pectus carinatum on health-related quality of life and self-esteem.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 2012 and May 2013, a prospective observational single-center cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients undergoing surgical correction of pectus carinatum at our institution. Patients filled in questionnaires on health-related quality of life and self-esteem before and six months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Disease-specific health-related quality of life was improved by 33% (95% CI: 23; 44%) according to responses to the Nuss Questionnaire modified for Adults. The improvement for generic mental health-related quality of life was 7% (95% CI: 3; 12%) in responses to the Short Form-36 Questionnaire. The improvement in self-esteem was 9% (95% CI: 2; 17%) as assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A Single Step Questionnaire supported the improvements in health-related quality of life and self-esteem six months postsurgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms positive effects of surgical correction of pectus carinatum on health-related quality of life and self-esteem. Patients were to a greater extent self-satisfied about chest appearance following surgery, indicating this to be a step in the right direction toward improved body image, mental health and self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Centre of Research in Rehabilitation (CORIR), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Denmark. Electronic address: mariknud@rm.dk.
authors.forename: Marie Veje
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Electronic address: kasper.grosen@rm.dk.
authors.forename: Kasper
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grosen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Electronic address: pilegaard@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Hans K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Pilegaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Centre of Research in Rehabilitation (CORIR), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Denmark. Electronic address: sussie.laustsen@clin.au.dk.
authors.forename: Sussie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laustsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D066166:Pectus Carinatum / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body image; Pectus carinatum; Quality of life; Self concept