Metrical evaluation of Slovak patients with pectus excavatum.

PURPOSE: We have started to assess the severity of pectus excavatum by means of anthropometric methods prior to CT examination since 2012. The aim of the study was to establish a significance of anthropometry as first-line diagnostic method. Afterwards, we analyzed statistical significance of differences in selected anthropometric indicators before and after surgical intervention. The analysis was also focused on the data from CT scans.

METHODS

The followed group represented 27 patients, including 6 girls and 21 boys aged 7-18 years (mean age 15.59 years). Evaluation of anthropometric measurements was realized by somatometry, and other metrical measurements were calculated from thoracic CT scans of patients. All measurements were managed with the approval of the Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

The significant differences were found in sagittal diameter and thoracic index in 64.0 % of the patients. Data analyzed from CT showed that flat chest prevailed in both gender (100 %). The largest group represented asymmetric type of pectus excavatum (40.74 %). The superiority of the asymmetric type to the right was confirmed. The values of the Haller index were in range 2.00-5.17 (mean value 3.64). 81.5 % of patients met criterion for surgical correction. Most patients with pectus excavatum had a milder form of deformation.

CONCLUSIONS

Anthropometry provides feasible and non-invasive method of pectus deformities evaluation. Based on the study results, anthropometry should be performed prior to CT examination in order to select patients for surgical treatment. Anthropometric measurements are helpful in accurate documentation of growth, longitudinal observation of the patient, and can support decision concerning the type of surgery.