Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
The treatment of pigeon chest also requires surgical methods.1. The upper and lower vascular pedicle sternum (sternum rotation) is the same as the surgical method for funnel chest.
2. The pedicle-free sternum (sternum rotation) method is also basically the same as the surgical method for funnel chest, except that the ribs and costal cartilages of pigeon chest are longer. The 3rd and 4th ribs and costal cartilages of pigeon chest are the longest, while the 5th rib is shorter. Special attention should be paid during surgery.
3. Costochondral (costochondral) involves a median or transverse incision on the chest, separating the pectoralis major muscles on both sides to expose the deformed chest muscles and bilateral costal cartilages. The rectus abdominis muscle is cut at its attachment point and flipped downward. The periosteum of the ribs is incised, and the excessively long portions of the affected costal cartilages within the deformed range are resected. The excessively long periosteum is then longitudinally sutured to reduce it. If the chest muscle deformity is severe, a transverse wedge osteotomy may also be performed to flatten the sternum, which is then fixed with steel wire. The pectoralis major muscles are then approximated and sutured, and the rectus abdominis muscle is sutured to the front of the sternum. The surgical outcome is very satisfactory. When correcting pigeon chest deformity with surgery, it is important to note whether the previously protruding sternum will compress the heart postoperatively. Therefore, preoperative chest X-rays and CT scans should be carefully reviewed. If there is no lung tissue between the sternum and the heart, the sternum may compress the heart postoperatively, and the sternum position should be appropriately elevated during surgery. [2]
4. Correcting pigeon chest with physical exercises (1) Breathing exercise: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, relax your body, and slightly close your eyes. Gently raise both arms forward to the top of your head while inhaling. Pause for a moment, then let your arms fall naturally while exhaling deeply. Repeat several times a day, with each session lasting 10 minutes.
Recommendations: (2) Perform push-ups or hold dumbbells to practice forward arm raises three to four times a day, with each session lasting 10 minutes. (3) Perform inverted exercises on parallel bars in the morning on an empty stomach, but avoid overexertion. (4) Jogging helps enhance internal organ activity, expand lung capacity, and improve poor chest development.