Degree of severity of pectus excavatum and pulmonary function in preoperative and postoperative periods.

Pulmonary function was evaluated in 138 patients with pectus excavatum, paying particular attention to the degree of severity of chest deformity. We defined the severity of deformity quantitatively based upon a computed tomographic index obtained from a computed tomogram. We recognized a positive relationship between computed tomographic index (x) and percent vital capacity (y), as follows: y = 137x + 58 (n = 138, r = 0.61, p < 0.05). Pulmonary function tests were performed from 2 to 42 months postoperatively. Vital capacity decreased about 10% from the baseline value during the initial 2 months after surgical treatment and recovered to the preoperative level by 1 year after surgery. At 42 months after surgical correction, the pulmonary function was maintained at the baseline level and the severity of deformity was significantly improved. Surgical procedures for the treatment of pectus excavatum--sternocostal elevation and sternal turnover--resulted in an excellent cosmetic result but did not importantly affect respiratory function.