Health situation of patients with pectus excavatum in the perioperative period

The aim of the study was to analyse the health status of patients with pectus excavatum, and assess the impact of the disease on the functioning of the patients before and after surgery.

Material and methods: Sixty patients with pectus excavatum underwent surgical correction by Nuss or by Ravitch procedure. The respondents were divided into two age groups: group I – 27 patients aged 10 to 17 yerars and group II – 33 patients aged 18 to 40 years.

The study was performed by diagnostic survey using a questionnaire. The questionnaire collected data on the effect of deformation on the functioning of patients in the preoperative period as well as their current health situation.

Results: Symptoms, conditions, and psychosocial disorders reported by the respondents concerned the patients from group II more often. In particular, this referred to recurrent respiratory infections and scoliosis (p = 0.0473). Early postoperative complications developed among 15 (25%) of the surveyed. Postoperative chest pain was significantly more severe among the older patients from group II (p = 0.0024). Among the majority of patients from both studied groups, their self-esteem improved and most of the preoperative symptoms and conditions disappeared after the corrective surgery.

Conclusions: Pectus excavatum is the cause of significant ailments and disorders hindering the social functions. Corrective surgery of pectus excavatum significantly improves the clinical status and comfort of the patients and decreases preoperative symptoms and conditions. Early postoperative chest pain and complications do not affect the final assessment of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of funnel chest.