ArticleBMC pediatrics2026
Compressive bracing for pectus carinatum following congenital heart disease surgery in children: a retrospective cohort study.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundPectus carinatum (PC) can develop as a secondary deformity following median sternotomy for congenital heart disease repair in children. While compressive bracing is an established first-line treatment for primary pectus carinatum, its safety and effectiveness in post-cardiac surgery patients remain uninvestigated.
methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on 54 pediatric patients with PC secondary to congenital heart disease surgery, treated with custom-fitted compressive bracing at a single center (March 2019 to December 2020). The primary outcome was anteroposterior (AP) protrusion measurement at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months. Satisfactory correction was defined as 50% or greater reduction in AP protrusion. Changes across time points were analyzed using the Friedman test with post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
resultsThe cohort comprised 40 males and 14 females (median age 60.0 months). The median interval between cardiac surgery and bracing initiation was 36.0 months (IQR 24.0-54.0). Median AP protrusion decreased significantly from 12.2 cm at baseline to 6.8 cm at 9 months (Friedman test: p < 0.001). Satisfactory correction was achieved in 47 patients (87.0%). Adverse effects occurred in 7 patients (13.0%), were mild and self-limiting, with no cardiac complications.
conclusionIn this short-term follow-up study, compressive bracing appears to be a safe and effective non-operative approach for treating PC in pediatric patients following CHD surgery. These findings represent immediate outcomes and warrant confirmation in larger, controlled studies with longer follow-up.
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