CAJ | 학술논문

The author reports 23 cases of pectus excavatum seen in the years from 1963 to 1982,15 males and 18 females.The youngest was only 3 days after birth while the oldest was 14 years old.17 had histories of repeated respiratory infections.9 showed shortness of breath after exercise.The holding volume of the excavatum ranged from 7 ml(the newborn)to 120 ml.Chest films revealed left displacemnt of the heart in 17 cases.Lateral films displayed shortened distance from the sternum to the spine.9 cases were surgically corrected by thoracoplasty recommended by Gross.One patient has been followed up for 19 years.The others were operated upon with'turn over technic'by turning over the dished sternum and its costal cartilages in situ.The longest follow-up lasted 5 years.Both procedures were similarly satisfying with the chest markedly improved in both appearance and function.Respiratory infections are brought under control and shortness of breath disappeared.Left displacement of the heart also recovered to a certain extent as shown by the X-rays.