[Funnel chest operation and age (author's transl)].

Analysing 199 cases of funnel chest operations the following proposals are to be discussed: early operation of boys in a modified Ravitch-technique with transverse osteotomy of the anterior sternum-wall, resection of the xiphoid process and fastening of the perichondrium to the pectoral muscles. The cosmetic indication excludes a late operation. If any late operations are performed they should be considered only for girls. Stabilisers should be used only in case of later operations, recurrences and asymmetrical forms. No operation should be performed in case of genetic defects (malformationsyndrome, flat-chest and channel-chest). The therapeutic results should be made objective by means of the sagittal inner thorax-diameter after Stucki. The submammary incision should be omitted.