Pectus excavatum. Simple autogenous tissue support to keep sternum elevated.

The deformity of pectus excavatum causes no organic disease or functional impairment ordinarily, but it does cause a greater or lesser degree of psychologic problems. It should be repaired for the cosmetic effect and for prevention and/or relief of the psychologic problems. It is best to treat the patient at about two years of age, but can be done at any age. The deformed costal cartilages that have been freed in a subperichondral manner are used to fix the sternum in a normal position once the sternum has been elevated to a normal position. A simple, easy, safe operative procedure certain of correcting the deformity has been described using only autogenous tissue for support of the sternum in the elevated position.