11-Year-Old Post-Cardiac Surgery Pectus Excavatum Case

Case Background

While Pectus Excavatum is commonly considered a congenital chest wall deformity, some patients may develop a chest wall depression following cardiac surgery performed during infancy or childhood.

Children who undergo median sternotomy for congenital heart disease repair may experience changes in chest wall growth over time. In some cases, this can result in acquired pectus excavatum.

This case documents an 11-year-old patient with post-cardiac surgery pectus excavatum managed with Vacuum Bell therapy.

Initial Evaluation

Age

11 years old

Initial Assessment Date

July 2024

Medical History

• Previous congenital heart surgery

• History of median sternotomy

• Progressive chest wall depression during growth

Main Findings

• Central sternal depression

• Depression around the surgical scar area

• Uneven anterior chest wall contour

• Visible chest wall deformity

What Is Acquired Pectus Excavatum?

Acquired pectus excavatum refers to chest wall depression that develops after surgery or other chest wall changes rather than being present as a primary congenital deformity.

Potential contributing factors may include:

• Sternotomy healing patterns

• Chest wall growth changes

• Costal cartilage development

• Structural changes after surgery

Treatment Method

Treatment

Vacuum Bell Therapy

Approach

Non-surgical chest wall management

Goals

• Improve chest appearance

• Reduce visible depression

• Improve chest symmetry

• Support chest wall management

Before Treatment

Clinical Observation

A noticeable depression was observed in the central sternum and previous surgical area.

The chest wall contour appeared uneven.

After 7 Months

Clinical Observation

Compared with baseline:

• Changes in chest wall appearance were observed

• Reduced visibility of the depressed area

• Smoother sternal contour

• Improved chest symmetry

Clinical Observation Summary

Based on image comparison:

Sternal Area

Changes in chest wall appearance were observed.

Chest Wall Contour

The chest wall contour appeared smoother.

Symmetry

Improved balance between both sides of the chest.

Overall Appearance

The chest shape appeared closer to a natural chest wall contour.

Important Considerations for Post-Surgical Patients

Management planning should consider:

• Type of cardiac surgery

• Sternum healing status

• Cardiac history

• Chest wall development

• Professional clinical evaluation

FAQ

Does every child develop pectus excavatum after heart surgery?

No. Only a subset of patients experience chest wall depression during growth.

How is acquired pectus excavatum different from congenital pectus excavatum?

Acquired pectus excavatum develops after surgery or chest wall changes, while congenital pectus excavatum is present due to developmental factors.

Can post-cardiac surgery patients use Vacuum Bell therapy?

Suitability should be determined through individualized clinical evaluation and review of surgical history.

Important Notice

This case is presented for educational purposes only. Individual outcomes vary depending on anatomy, surgical history, growth patterns, and treatment response.

Concerned About Chest Wall Depression After Congenital Heart Surgery?

EMK  Yikang Medical provides:

✓ Post-Surgical Chest Wall Evaluation
✓ CT Imaging Analysis
✓ 3D Chest Wall Reconstruction
✓ Customized Design Based on CT or 3D Modeling
✓ Long-Term Follow-Up Support

Contact our team for a personalized assessment.