Wietse P Zuidema1, Jan W A Oosterhuis2, Gerda W Zijp3, Robertine van Baren4, Elly S M de Lange-de Klerk5, Stefan M van der Heide6, Alida F W van der Steeg7, Lodewijk W E van Heurn8. 1. Pediatric Surgical Center Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital AMC and VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.zuidema@vumc.nl. 2. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands. 3. Pediatric Surgery, Juliana Children's Hospital/Haga-Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 7. Pediatric Surgical Center Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital AMC and VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic disease (CoRPS) Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands. 8. Pediatric Surgical Center Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital AMC and VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity in adolescents. The main complaint is cosmetic, but many patients also complain about exertional dyspnea. This may lead to the patient seeking surgery of the thoracic wall deformity (TWD). The assumption is that both, appearance and physical complaints will have a negative effect on being able or wanting to engage in sport activity. METHODS: In December 2011 a prospective registration of sport activity in pectus excavatum patients started. Sport activity was assessed using questionnaires (CHQ, SF-36 and PEEQ). Measurements were taken before corrective surgery (preoperatively) and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: 127 patients have been included. The number of patients who were active in sports preoperatively and after 12 months remained steady. The type of sport activity, individual sport or team sport showed no significant change. The CHQ showed that physical activity caused fewer complaints (p < 0.001). The PEEQ showed a decrease in difficulties with sports activity performance after 12 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months after surgical correction of PE there was no significant increase in the number of patients performing sport activities. However there was a significant decrease of complaints or difficulties during sport compared to preoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
PURPOSE: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity in adolescents. The main complaint is cosmetic, but many patients also complain about exertional dyspnea. This may lead to the patient seeking surgery of the thoracic wall deformity (TWD). The assumption is that both, appearance and physical complaints will have a negative effect on being able or wanting to engage in sport activity. METHODS: In December 2011 a prospective registration of sport activity in pectus excavatum patients started. Sport activity was assessed using questionnaires (CHQ, SF-36 and PEEQ). Measurements were taken before corrective surgery (preoperatively) and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: 127 patients have been included. The number of patients who were active in sports preoperatively and after 12 months remained steady. The type of sport activity, individual sport or team sport showed no significant change. The CHQ showed that physical activity caused fewer complaints (p < 0.001). The PEEQ showed a decrease in difficulties with sports activity performance after 12 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months after surgical correction of PE there was no significant increase in the number of patients performing sport activities. However there was a significant decrease of complaints or difficulties during sport compared to preoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
Authors: Barbara Del Frari; Cornelia Blank; Stephan Sigl; Anton H Schwabegger; Eva Gassner; David Morawetz; Wolfgang Schobersberger Journal: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2021-12-27 Impact factor: 4.191