Pectus Carinatum Results

Pectus Carinatum Results

Doug Wacker, CPO

11/12/2007

Thank you all for responding to a most interesting case. As a review, I was referred an 11 year old boy with a Dx of Pectus Carinatum. By far the majority of practitioners who had experienced patients with this diagnosis have used an orthosis fabricated by WestCoast Limb and Brace in Tampa, Florida.

I will post the responses.

You may want to try to contact WestCoast Brace in Florida.? They were one of the
companies that originally fabricated orthoses for the treatment of pectus
carinatum.

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Compliancy has been good due to the brace being low profile and difficult to detect under clothing.? Visit our website to get a better understanding of the brace.? It does not effect internal organs if it is properly positioned over the prominence.? We have seen results within the firt 2 months.? But the patient must continue wearing the brace 24/7.? we have seen xrays of marked improvement and have a Doctor state that his surgeries have diminished because of the brace.? We do fabricate these in house and would need the measurement sheet filled out that can be found on the website as well as a fiberglass impression of torso with good markings.
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Hope this helps!
?
Greg Bauer CPO
5311 E. Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, Florida?? 33617
813-985-5000
wcbl.com
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We've had some really good luck with the dynamic chest compressor from WestCoast
brace and limb in Tampa area.? All specifics for the brace and casting
instructions are on their website.? It's an aluminum frame style with
kydex-backed plastazote pads to apply focal pressure and ratcheting skate straps
on each side.? They have excellent finish work to the brace and as long as your
cast is perfect and accurately marked, you'll be very happy and see awesome
results.

If you have a CAD-CAM scanner I would keep progressive scans, if not I would
keep a photo log with profile shots every 3-4 months.? You and the family will
be amazed as you reflect on the shape over time.

Here's the website:?? <URL Redacted>

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Call Kim Gettens CO?at the Shriners Hospital in Springfield , Massachusetts. She is a real expert on this, see below.

Tom Colburn (pass along my best regards)










Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques

Nonoperative Correction of Pectus Carinatum with Orthotic Bracing

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?If you google dr haje brazil,you'll find a good bit of information on a brace he developed in Brazil and brought to duPont hospital in Wilmington. It's a metal frame with pads, very acceptable in south america, very difficult to sell to an American teenager.

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I have used this brace for a number of years now and I have had success
with it. I set up two uprights from a CASH brace and compress them together
with Velcro. I add a pad in back and two exact treasure points in front to
push on the prominent Sternum. It works very well.

We have treated both Pectus Excavatum and Pectus carinatum. The best results are
with the Pigeon Chest patients. The older way of treatment was a modified TLSO
but now the treatment of choice is a simple compressor brace with ratchet
straps. Florida brace also has a modified Jewett using the same treatment plan.

We just did one.? Call Mike Traub, CP, LPO and ask him about it.? 253 435-7722

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?If/when you do this brace, make sure you get constant radiological info. My sons plural cavity, and all associated organs have migrated superior to normal postion. My concern is that, by applying sternal pressure, will the cavity and its organs return to their normal position without any issues? Second, he is a belly breather because the normal concavity of the rib attachment at the sternum doesn't exist. This may lead to some secondary issues.
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The westcoast brace and limb company has a brace that works great!




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Thank you all for your responses. I help this helps those who had also asked for me to post replies.



Douglass J. Wacker, CPO, LPO

NUTECH Orthotics & Prosthetics, LLC
2422 E. Tyler Ave., Ste. A
Harlingen, TX. 78550
PH. 956-412-LEGS(5347)
FX. 956-412-3563
E-mail: <Email Address Redacted>

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