Question
Do you need surgery for pectus excavatum? What were the treatment scenarios and outcomes in the past? Can medication treatment cure it? Do you absolutely need surgery, and how long will the recovery take? What kind of assistance are you looking for?
Answer
Pectus excavatum is a congenital familial disease. It is characterized by an abnormal indentation of the sternum, costal cartilage, and a small portion of ribs towards the spine, forming a funnel shape. In most cases, the sternum starts to curve backward from the third or second costal cartilage level, reaching its lowest point slightly above the xiphoid process, and then curves forward to form a boat-like deformity. On either side or laterally, there is an inward deformation that forms the lateral walls of pectus excavatum. Surgery can be used for treatment: there are two types of surgical methods, one being traditional surgery and the other minimally invasive surgery.