top of page
标准标志苍绿白底.png

The Institute of Chest Wall Surgery

Why should patients with pectus excavatum (PE) undergo surgery as soon as possible?

0

9


chest CT scan

  1. Reduction in Surgical Difficulty and Risks: As patients age, the degree and extent of concavity worsen, accompanied by the gradual hardening of chest wall bones, undoubtedly complicating surgical procedures and elevating potential risks. In contrast, the bones of younger patients are more pliable, facilitating smoother surgical operations and lowering risks.

  2. Enhanced Postoperative Experience: Given the relative flexibility of young patients' bones,  shaping and correcting during surgery are less traumatic. Compared to adults and the elderly, young patients experience markedly less postoperative pain and a notably shortened recovery time. This translates into a quicker return to normal life and reduced inconvenience caused by surgery.

  3. Improved Correction of Deformity: Deformities in adult and elderly patients tend to be more severe and complex, making surgical procedures more challenging and often resulting in less optimal correction compared to younger patients.  Early surgery, however, can more effectively correct the malformation, achieving a more desirable outcome.

  4. Prevention of Scoliosis Complications: The progression of PE can lead to uneven force distribution on the spine's two sides, potentially inducing scoliosis. Early surgical intervention can promptly correct chest wall deformities, balance spinal forces, and effectively prevent the onset of scoliosis.

  5. Comprehensive Improvement in Quality of Life: PE not only impacts physical health but also often comes with psychological stress, such as anxiety, sensitivity, and low self-esteem. Early surgery can eliminate chest wall deformities promptly, helping patients regain confidence, reduce obstacles in academics, work, and social activities, significantly improving overall quality of life.

  6. Innovation and Development in Medical Technology:  Recent years have witnessed significant progress in PE treatment, notably with the emergence of innovative surgical techniques like the Wang procedure. This procedure, with its unique operative principles and advanced corrective techniques, significantly reduces surgical risks and trauma, broadens the surgical indications, and eliminates age restrictions for surgery. This technological advancement presents unprecedented treatment opportunities for a wide range of PE patients, particularly those under 5 years old.

Sep 6, 2024

2 min read

0

9

bottom of page