Pectus carinatum is a chest deformity caused by abnormal cartilage growth, affecting men four times more than women. It can appear in puberty or at birth and is often accompanied by scoliosis or heart valve deformities. Treatment options include external bracing and corrective surgery. Some patients improve the appearance through bodybuilding or breast augmentation surgery.
Pectus carinatum is a chest deformity in which the breastbone and ribs protrude abnormally. Also called pigeon breast, it is caused by an abnormal growth of cartilage. Although pectus anomalies are not uncommon, pectus carinatum is one of the less common types. It affects men about four times more than women.
Pectus carinatum appears more often in puberty males, in which it occurs very rapidly. The second most common appearance of pectus carinatum is at birth. Rarely, the deformity can arise as a complication of open heart surgery.
When it comes to a birth defect, the deformity gets worse as the baby ages. Congenital pectus carinatum is often accompanied by scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, and sometimes by mitral valve prolapse, a heart valve deformity, or connective tissue disorders, particularly in the cardiovascular system. Pectus carinatum causes abnormal breathing, leading to decreased stamina, shortness of breath, asthma, and fatigue.
The main medical treatments for pectus carinatum are external bracing and corrective surgery. A brace is typically used for children, in which it usually shows excellent results. The brace is worn under clothing and has front and back plates held together with aluminum bars and tightened to compress the sternum and ribs. It should be worn for 14-24 hours a day depending on the severity of the condition.
Surgical treatment is reserved for adult patients and severe cases. It uses steel rods inserted into the chest to correct the position of the sternum. After the deformity has been corrected, the bars are surgically removed. The most common method is the Ravitch technique, but the less invasive Nuss technique can also be used if the deformity is symmetrical.
Some male patients who are not seeking medical treatment improve the appearance of pectus carinatum through bodybuilding, by covering the protruding pectus with chest muscles. While this technique is not harmful, it only addresses the cosmetic aspect of the condition and any cardiovascular condition will persist. Women with the deformity sometimes seek breast augmentation surgery for the same reason.
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