To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Compression Orthotic Bracing Effective for Correcting Pectus Carinatum in Children: Presented at AAP URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/21654A.htm Doctor's Guide October 29, 2007
By Nora Steiner Mealy SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- October 29, 2007 -- A compressive orthotic brace can correct pectus carinatum chest wall deformity and can help patients avoid surgery, according to research presented here at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition (AAP). Pectus carinatum occurs in about 1 in 5,000 births and is caused by overgrowth of the costal cartilages, resulting in protrusion of the sternum. Standard treatment involves major surgery. The device used in this study is a custom-made brace consisting of a semi-rigid adjustable elliptical ring with pads placed anteriorly and posteriorly on the chest. The device is worn directly contacting the skin. Compression takes place at the pads and can be individually adjusted according to the patient's needs. The study involved 26 boys and three girls ranging in age from 11 to 17 years (mean, 14.2 years), who wore the brace for a mean of 17 months (range, 13 to 30 months) at the time of this presentation. Patients were advised to wear the brace for at least 16 hours per day. Progress was monitored at baseline and every 6 months with a surface chest wall scanner (FastSCAN(R), manufactured by Polhemus) that allows good visualisation of the chest wall contours and helps guide therapy. The average change in anterior-posterior dimension on scan cross section was 7.7 cm. All had good cosmetic improvement has been achieved in all patients to date and there have been no complications except for mild, temporary erythema at the site of the pads. Pectus carinatum is a cosmetic problem, but the condition causes significant psychological impact on the patient, said Arun Mavanur, MD, Administrative Chief Resident, Integrated Surgery Residency, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, United States, who presented the findings. "It is a condition that is hidden to society, because patients avoid activities that would expose their deformities," said Dr. Mavanur. "Compression orthotic bracing is a good nonoperative option and produces excellent cosmetic results," he said. "All patients in this study have avoided surgery." [Presentation title: Compressive Orthotics: A New Paradigm in the Non-Operative Correction of Pectus Carinatum in Children. Abstract 491] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.