Patient's question:
After the baby was born, a month later it was discovered that he had pectus excavatum. The main symptoms include: sunken chest, protruding abdomen, left hand being less flexible than the right, and walking with an outward slant of the left foot (a "pigeon-toed" gait).Doctor's answer:
Generally speaking, we recommend surgery before school age, but not every pectus excavatum patient needs surgical treatment. For mild concavity without compression of the heart and lungs, and for patients who do not have strong surgical requirements, surgery may not be necessary. Surgery is typically recommended only for more severe cases. Whether we perform surgery depends on a certain grading system, which considers the depth, width, and length of the deepest depression, divided by the length, width, and thickness of the chest. If the index is above 0.2, it indicates moderate pectus excavatum, or using the water displacement method, it can hold more than 30ml of water, suggesting surgery. Surgery is also recommended if the heart or lungs are compressed, affecting the circulatory and respiratory systems.