Orthopaedic Aspects and Peculiarities of Operative Treatment for Funnel Breast in Children and Adolescents

Results of operative treatment using radical thoracoplasty in 31 patients with funnel breast were analyzed. Mean age of patients was 14.98±4.36 years. All patients had concomitant spine deformity. For purpose of cosmetic effect improvement the mini-invasive submammary accesses were used. Fixatives of sternocostal complex from nickel-titanium with shape-memory were worked out. The shape memory effect was achieved by cooling of the implant that resulted in implant plasticity. After being inserted the implant restored its original shape. That technique allowed achieving full correction of the deformity and positive cosmetic effect in all patients. No complications associated with plate migration were revealed. Radical thoracoplasty with thoracocostal complex stabilization by plate with shape-memory effect is pathogenetically justified and allows correcting the funnel chest of any degree and form and is indicated to patients of any age groups.

funnel breast, thoracoplasty, nickel-titanium plate, mini-invasive approach