title: Dynamic Compression System: An Effective Nonoperative Treatment for Pectus Carinatum: A Single Center Experience in Basel, Switzerland.
abstract: BackgroundSeveral nonoperative treatments are currently available for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC).ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to report our single center experience with the dynamic compression system (DCS).Materials and MethodsThe DCS is a rigid aluminum brace. PC is reshaped into a normal appearance through anterior-posterior pressure and lateral expansion of the chest. Patients with chondrogladiolar PC were considered suitable for the nonoperative treatment with DCS.ResultsIn this study, 53 of 68 children (78%) with chondrogladiolar PC were assessed retrospectively: 2 children were corrected by surgery, 12/53 (23%) treated by a conventional orthesis, 11/53 (21%) remained without therapy because of minor PC, and 36/53 (68%) were treated using the DCS. Of these 36 patients, 17 (47%) are already cured with a good (7/17) to excellent (10/17) cosmetic result after a median treatment period of 9 months (range, 2.5-16 months). The mean daily time of wearing of the device for those 17 patients was 9 hours (range, 5-18). None abandoned the treatment and there were almost no complications.ConclusionsLateral expansion of the chest and the possibility to measure the applied pressure seemed to be the key to DCSs success. We propose the DCS as first choice in the treatment of chondrogladiolar PC in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sergio B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sesia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holland-Cunz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Frank-Martin
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Häcker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D066166:Pectus Carinatum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013557:Switzerland; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome