The concept of funnel chest
Funnel chest is a depression of the anterior chest wall centered on the sternal process. The scope of the depression includes the lower part of the sternum, and the rib cartilage on both sides of the depression bends backward, so that the entire depression area is shaped like a funnel and gets its name. It is the most common deformity of the chest wall, accounting for more than 90% of all chest wall deformities. The incidence rate is generally 1-4 per 1,000.
Causes of funnel chest
The cause of funnel chest is still unclear, but it is generally believed to be a congenital developmental abnormality, and some scholars believe that it is caused by the overgrowth of rib cartilage, which bends backward and causes the chest wall to be depressed to form a funnel chest. The inward depression of the sternum squeezes the vital organs of the chest cavity, resulting in restricted growth of the chest organs (heart and lungs) and shortness of breath, which is usually mild at birth and often becomes very obvious as it grows, and also secondary to chest surgery.
Hazards of funnel chest
1.Physiological effects.
(1) Compression of the heart, limiting the heartbeat.
(2) The lung function is impaired and susceptible to respiratory infections.
2.Psychological effects.
(1) Self-esteem is hurt.
(2) Severe cases form psychological isolation disorder.
Treatment of funnel chest
The orthopedic treatment of funnel chest has a history of 100 years and has gone through the stages of osteotomy, osteotomy with internal fixation, reversal method and external fixation without osteotomy.
Points to note for patients after discharge from hospital
The following instructions may help the patient return to normal activities and reduce displacement of the orthopedic plate.
Regular normal walking.
Deep breathing exercises twice a day, morning and evening.
refraining from bending, twisting or rolling for the first 4 weeks at home.
that the patient must have a straight back for the first month after surgery.
not to lift heavy objects for two months after surgery
refrain from playing confrontational sports (e.g. soccer, basketball) for three months after surgery.
As the implant needs to remain in the patient’s body for more than 1.5 years, the following points need to be noted.
Do not perform MRI examinations of the chest and upper abdomen.
If cardiac defibrillation is required, place the electrode plate in the anterior-posterior position for cardiac shock.
Avoid direct chest impact.
When to remove the implanted plate?
Patients should have routine follow-up examinations and the implant can be removed when the chest wall has sufficient strength to support the sternum, and the implant usually needs to remain in the body for at least 1.5 years.