Question
The baby was diagnosed with pectus excavatum one month after birth, with main symptoms including chest indentation, abdominal protrusion, less flexibility in the left hand compared to the right, and an outward splay of the left foot when walking. What are some good treatment methods?
Answer
Generally speaking, we recommend surgery before the age of school entry. However, not every patient with pectus excavatum requires surgery. For those with mild indentation and no signs of compression on the heart and lungs, and if the patient does not have a strong desire for surgery, they can choose not to undergo surgery. Whether or not surgery is needed is determined by certain grading standards based on the extent of the indentation. The most common method is to calculate the depth, width, and length of the deepest indentation and divide it by the length, width, and thickness of the thoracic cage; if the index is above 0.2, it indicates moderate pectus excavatum. Alternatively, a water pouring method can be used; if more than 30 milliliters of water can be held, surgery is recommended. Additionally, if pectus excavatum compresses the heart and lungs, affecting circulation and the respiratory system, surgery is advised.