Resolved Question

Hello. My son has Pectus Carinatum and had corrective surgery for it last December. Our insurance (in the U.S.) convered the surgery as well as follow-up, and while there is much pain for two weeks following with the worst being the first week, and one cannot pick up for at least 3 months anything weighing over 10 pounds nor run nor fall nor be hit in any way, particularly in the chest, there are drugs to keep the pain in good check and the surgery was worth it all to my son. The condition did not appear until he was 14, and he had the surgery at age 16 1/2. The optimum age, if the condition appears in teenhood (made visible by a growth spurt), is between 16 and 17. If the sugery is performed too soon, the pectus can return, if done later in life, the cartilage is harder and teens do recover from surgery faster than do adults. I were an adult, I would have the surgery, regardless. The stay in the hospital was 7 days and recovery as far as pain and mobility about 3 weeks. Some patients stay 4 or 5, but when my son's epidural tube was removed, the meds given him were not ones which worked and the meds had to be changed (demand whatever pain meds are necessary if there is great pain afterwards!) and he lost two days in recovery due to such pain and really needed to stay in the hospital the two extra days. His surgeon had the extra days approved and we had no trouble from the insurance company. My son had the 6-inch metal bar removed two weeks ago, it is usually removed after 6 months. His scar, which is one line across the chest measuring about 5 or 6 inches, while visible, is very thin, is not jarring to the eye nor it is any issue with him. He's much rather have that scar than to have bad health and a chest which protrudes and one would have turned into a barrel chest on his six-foot plus person. There is about a 5 percent chance the pectus condition could come back if he were to experience another big growth spurt, but while he will probably grow two more inches, it will happen slowly between now (age 17-1/2) and age 20, so nothing should be triggered as far as changes to the bone. If you are in the U.S., I could not recommend a better surgeon than my son's surgeon, who is at UCLA (Dr. Shew). He has done hundreds of pectus surgeries and he is a compassionate human being. One does not alway get that combination when choosing doctors; we have been blessed. If you have any questions, please post and I will answer!