Surgical treatment of funnel chest and flat chest

Objective To review the surgical experience of sternal turnover with rectus muscle pedicle (STO-RMP) and sternal overlapping suture in the treatment of funnel chest and flat chest. Method From 1983 to 1997, 33 patients with funnel chest underwent sternal turnover with rectus muscle pedicle. 7 of 33 patients associated with flat chest were treated with sternal overlapping suture and STO-RMP. The patients' age ranged from 2 5 to 34 years (median, 6years). F2I was 0 2-0 77 (median, 0 33). 11patients had asymmetric funnel chest, and 9 in associated with deformity of other organs. The sternal longitudinal wedge osteotomy was performed after sternal turnover on severe funnel chest. Result There was no operative death and severe complication. 31 patients were followed up 5 to 10 years. The long-term result of surgery is satisfactory. Conclusion The method of sternal turnover with rectus muscle pedicle is the choice for moderate and severe funnel chest, especially for asymmetric funnel chest and flat chest.