Dynamische-compressiebrace bij pectus carinatum

Pectus carinatum occurs in one of 1500-1700 people and may lead to physical, cosmetic and psychosocial problems. Surgical treatment of pectus carinatum is performed using the ‘Ravitch procedure’. An alternative and less invasive treatment consists of external compression with a brace. Results are often disappointing because of skin complications, a low level of comfort of the brace and low compliance. Nowadays a new brace (dynamic compression brace) exists with which the comfort and thus the compliance can be increased by measuring and regulating the pressure of correction during the treatment. This leads to better results and fewer complications. In 80-90% of patients the results are good to excellent and an operation can be avoided. This new brace is therefore a less invasive, cheap and safe alternative to the Ravitch procedure in the treatment of pectus carinatum in children.

Conflict of interest and financial support: disclosure forms provided by the authors are available along with the full text of this article at www.ntvg.nl, search for A6796; click on ‘Belangenverstrengeling’ (‘Conflict of interest’).