Untersuchungen zur psychisch-kosmetischen Indikation zur Trichterbrust

: From 1980-1983 the funnel chest of 29 patients (age range 6-40 years) was surgically corrected using Ravitch's method. In 25 patients clinical and cosmetic follow-up investigations were possible. The psychological investigation consisted of standardised interviews with special questions concerning the problems that patients with funnel chest have to deal with. In 16 cases the result of the operation was good, in 7 cases satisfying, 2 patients had a poor result. The presence of a funnel chest did have a psychological impact on most of the patients, who were inhibited in their psychosocial activities. Surgical correction changed these restrictions in most of the patients in a positive way. We conclude that the psychosocial indication for surgical correction of the funnel chest is justified, since our results strongly support this indication.