Pectus excavatum question

[giraffe7983]

As far as I remember, when I was a kid, my chest looked normal.

At about puberty, my chest moved in about 1 inch and has stayed that way since. I measured it by laying a ruler on my chest and measuring the distance from my sternum to the ruler. I'm in my early 30's.

Every once in a while, I'm a little self conscious about it, although I've been an athletic during my life and, as far as I know, have had no problems with it. I take my shirt off at the pool and don't let it affect my life.

Since my sternum goes straight in 1 inch, should I consider getting it corrected. I called my pediatrician about it years ago, but he acted like it was no big deal. No other doctor who has seen me with my shirt off has mentioned anything.

I want to make a mature decision about whether to get this corrected. Your advice is appreciated.

[giraffe7983]

Thank you very much!

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Assuming that there are no functional medical issues related to your chest defect, the issue becomes one of how much this bothers you cosmetically, and how easy a successful fix could be achieved.  The repair ranges from major muscle and boney work on the sternum, to the use of solid silicone implants to mask the defect.  In Europe, there are now injectable fillers available that reportedly fill the area permanently and with relative ease.  They are not approved in the US and I do not know what complications have resulted from their use.  A consultation with a local plastic surgeon experienced with this condition would be your best next step.