What is pectus excavatum?
Commonly called “funnel chest,” pectus excavatum is a depression or hollow caused when the sternum (breastbone) is abnormally pushed inward. The depression in the chest is due to abnormal growth of the cartilage that attaches the sternum to the ribs. Because of the deep depression, the abdomen often protrudes and gives the appearance of a potbelly in younger children. If both sides of the breastbone are depressed in an equal fashion, the defect will appear symmetrical. However, in many cases, the chest wall appears asymmetric, with the left side of the chest being wider than the right side. In such cases, the sternum is abnormally rotated. Pectus excavatum occurs in 1 in 500 to 1,000 children. It may be minimal, with only slight depression of the chest or it may be quite severe, causing compression of the heart and lungs and altering their functioning. The abnormality increases with age and often worsens during the growth spurts that occur during late childhood and adolescence. It stab
