FUNNEL CHEST

Abstract

Funnel chest as seen in childhood seldom produces disability.

A review of the literature reveals a growing number of cases of funnel chest in adult patients in whom varying degrees of cardiac disability have been described.

In a questionnaire answered by 25 American physicians, the majority feel that among adult patients with severe funnel chest there are some who suffer from cardiac or respiratory disability. There was a feeling that many of these patients undergo psychologic trauma.

Twenty-three of the 25 feel that operative correction of a severe degree of funnel chest should be undertaken in childhood.

A series of eight cases operated upon by the author is reviewed. Of these cases the outcome has been the most successful in children operated upon by radical surgery between 2 and 6 years of age.

The author believes that, for children with a severe grade of funnel chest, surgery should be recommended when they are between 2 and 6 years of age.