The surgical repair of a congenital deformity of the chest (pectus excavatum) can improve a child's body image.
The surgical repair of a congenital deformity of the chest called pectus excavatum, or funnel chest, can dramatically improve a child's body image as well as physical and psychosocial functioning.
Pectus excavatum is an abnormal formation of the rib cage that gives the chest a caved-in or sunken appearance. It is caused by overgrowth of the connective tissue that connects the ribs to the breastbone, which makes the sternum curve inward. This causes a depression in the centre of the chest that can be quite deep.
Researchers from America assessed the thoughts about body image and functioning of 264 patients, ranging in age from 8 to 21 years, who underwent surgical repair. Their parents also participated. A 1-year follow-up survey after the surgery was completed by 247 patients and 274 parents. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating a less desirable experience.
Overall, it was found that 97 percent of patients thought that the surgery improved the appearance of their chest. Surgery was also associated with a reduction in feelings of social self-consciousness and an improved body image. Specifically, the patients' average body image score improved from 2.3 to 1.4 and the physical difficulty score from 2.1 to 1.4.
The results of the parents' survey also indicated improvements in their child's emotional difficulties (scores improved from 1.8 to 1.2), social self-consciousness (2.9 to 1.3), and physical difficulties (2.1 to 1.3). Pectus excavatum is often dismissed as 'only cosmetic,' but the condition is not trivial in its effects on the life of the child. The above results should prompt physicians to consider the physiologic and psychological implications of pectus excavatum just as they would any other physical deformity known to have such consequences.
Pectus excavatum is an abnormal formation of the rib cage that gives the chest a caved-in or sunken appearance. It is caused by overgrowth of the connective tissue that connects the ribs to the breastbone, which makes the sternum curve inward. This causes a depression in the centre of the chest that can be quite deep.
Researchers from America assessed the thoughts about body image and functioning of 264 patients, ranging in age from 8 to 21 years, who underwent surgical repair. Their parents also participated. A 1-year follow-up survey after the surgery was completed by 247 patients and 274 parents. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating a less desirable experience.
Overall, it was found that 97 percent of patients thought that the surgery improved the appearance of their chest. Surgery was also associated with a reduction in feelings of social self-consciousness and an improved body image. Specifically, the patients' average body image score improved from 2.3 to 1.4 and the physical difficulty score from 2.1 to 1.4.
The results of the parents' survey also indicated improvements in their child's emotional difficulties (scores improved from 1.8 to 1.2), social self-consciousness (2.9 to 1.3), and physical difficulties (2.1 to 1.3). Pectus excavatum is often dismissed as 'only cosmetic,' but the condition is not trivial in its effects on the life of the child. The above results should prompt physicians to consider the physiologic and psychological implications of pectus excavatum just as they would any other physical deformity known to have such consequences.
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