[Mechanical effects of funnel chest (author's transl)].

In the assessment of the deformed chest wall, morphologic and cosmetic considerations are prominent. Classification should not depend on the observer's subjective impression. The measuring procedure presented and tested in 142 patients shows that relationships exist between the shape of the chest wall and the position of the heart, but no utilizable correlations to total function values. A growth-dependent progression of thoracic space requirement is not be expected as a rule.