BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum is characterized by concave growth of costal cartilage and depression of the lower sternum. Clinical means of classifying these malformations are few and difficult to apply. OBJECTIVE: To devise clinical tools for quantifying the deformity and comparing preoperative and postoperative findings. METHOD: A total of 10 pectus excavatum patients who underwent surgery in which the modified Robicsek technique was used by the Thoracic Surgery Group of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, were clinically and radiologically evaluated in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Ten control individuals, presenting no thoracic or radiological abnormalities, were submitted to identical evaluations. Deformities at the sternum notch level and at the point of maximum deformity were assessed using the anthropometric index and the Haller index. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of anthropometric index means revealed significant differences between preoperative and control values and between preoperative and postoperative values, as well as a non-significant difference between postoperative and control values. The same results were obtained when Haller index means were analyzed. A paired comparison of preoperative and postoperative means showed two distinct groups. An 86% canonical correlation was found between the anthropometric index and the Haller index. CONCLUSION: Patients with pectus excavatum can be quantitatively assessed in the preoperative and postoperative periods through the use of the anthropometric index, which allows objective, comparative evaluation of the results and is easily performed.
Funnel Chest; Anthropometry
