Dynamic compression therapy for pectus carinatum in children and adolescents: Factors for success

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Abstract

Background: Pectus carinatum (PC) is a congenital chest wall deformity. In childhood, it is increasingly treated with dynamic compression therapy. Factors for success for dynamic brace therapy are relatively unknown. Methods: Between 2013 and 2020, 740 patients treated with the Dynamic Compression System (DCS), were studied. This included the effect of age, gender, pectus height, symmetry and pectus rigidity on treatment time and symptoms with linear multiple regression analyses. Results: Carinatum height and high pressure of initial correction at the start of treatment were associated with a prolonged duration of treatment. For each cm increase in carinatum height, the total treatment duration increased with 1.9 months (p-value= 0.002, 95% CI: 0.70–3.13). An initial correction pressure of ≥7.6 pounds per square inch (psi), increased the treatment duration with 3.5 months (p-value 0.006, 95% CI: 1.04–6.01) compared to an initial correction pressure of ≤5.0 psi. A high initial pressure of correction of ≥7.6 psi increased the odds of having somatic symptoms with 1.19 (p-value= 0.012, 95% CI: 1.04–1.45) and psychosocial symptoms with 1.13 (p-value= 0.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.27) compared to a low initial pressure of correction of ≤5.0 psi. An initial pressure of correction of 5.1–7.5 psi increased the odds of having somatic symptoms with 1.14 (p-value 0.046, 95% CI: 1.00–1.29) compared to an initial pressure of correction of ≤5.0 psi. Patients with asymmetric chests were more likely to abandon therapy Conclusions: High carinatum height and high initial pressure of correction are associated with prolonged bracing treatment and a higher failure rate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1440-1445
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery
Volume58
Issue number8
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023

Keywords

  • Bracing
  • Dynamic bracing
  • Dynamic compression brace
  • Orthosis
  • Pectus
  • Pectus carinatum
  • Pigeon breast

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