Pouter pigeon breast.

Pouter pigeon breast is a rare congenital deformity of the chest characterized by a protrusion of the manubriosternal junction and premature sternal ossification. The adjacent costal cartilages, usually from the second to fifth, also protrude. One third of the patients with pouter pigeon breast presented with concomitant depression of the lower third of the sternum. Several cardiovascular abnormalities have been associated with premature sternal ossification, with ventricular septal defect being the most common. All patients with pouter pigeon breast should undergo echocardiography in search of occult cardiac lesions. The measurement of the angle of Louis on lateral chest radiograms allows the objective assessment of the deformity and appreciation of the sternal fusion. Surgical correction includes the wide wedge transverse sternotomy at the angle of Louis and subperichondrial resection of the adjacent costal cartilages. When the deformity is part of a syndrome or in cases of severe depression of the lower sternum, we recommend the technique using Marlex mesh support as described by Robicsek. Preferable age for repair is 5 to 7 years old. Long-term outcomes are encouraging.