Pectus carinatum treatment in Canada: current practices.

BACKGROUND

Multiple treatment options currently exist for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC). We performed a survey of Canadian pediatric surgeons to define current practices.

METHODS

All active members of Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons were surveyed online during winter 2011 through the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons Web site. The survey assessed multiple facets of PC evaluation and treatment, with particular emphasis on the practice of bracing.

RESULTS

Forty-five active members (85%) responded, of whom 32 (71%) currently treat PC. Fifty-three percent of practices are low volume (<5 patients annually). In terms of preferred or most used treatment modality, 69% of surgeons used bracing, 25% performed Ravitch repairs, 3% performed open minimal cartilage resections, and 3% performed reverse Nuss procedures. Of 23 surgeons (72%) who used bracing, 83% used it for most or the patients. Fifty-seven percent judged their bracing results as good or excellent, and 74% felt that most or all patients braced were satisfied; 80% and 88% agreed or strongly agreed that bracing was generally preferable to surgical repair and that bracing should be first line treatment, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Bracing is the preferred treatment for PC by most Canadian pediatric surgeons, despite lack of prospective outcome data. This presents an opportunity for a multicenter prospective study.