Specialists at the Chest Wall Clinic at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento, treat chest deformities such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum, as well as rib deformities and chest wall tumors. We consult with cardiologists and pulmonary specialists. We provide full evaluations, which may include radiographic assessment, echocardiography and pulmonary function testing.
Pectus Excavatum
The most common chest wall disorder treated at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento is pectus excavatum, a deformity that occurs in approximately one out of 1,000 children. It is characterized by a concavity of the sternum. This disorder is usually noted during childhood as a mild condition but can become progressively more pronounced over time. Additional symptoms can include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath, especially on exertion
- Palpitations (mitral valve prolapse)
- Associated syndromes affecting skeletal growth
Treatment
For those who require treatment, the most commonly performed procedure is a minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery to correct the deformity by placing a prosthetic bar behind the sternum (Nuss procedure). The bar is removed after three years and the bone has remodeled into a more symmetrical position. The appropriate timing of surgery is typically in the early adolescent years, but patients undergo evaluation for this condition at any age.
Teimour Nasirov, M.D., has more than 10 years of experience with treatment of pectus excavatum via thoracoscopy. This minimally invasive surgery is a marked improvement over traditional options for pectus excavatum treatment with such benefits as:
- Smaller incisions and reduced scarring
- Reduced operating time
- An approximate 90 percent decrease in blood loss
- An early return to regular activity
- Excellent cosmetic results
How to Refer
To refer a patient to the Chest Wall Deformity Program at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento call (916) 340-0111. Physicians outside the Sacramento region may receive referral assistance by calling Sutter Specialty Network at (888) 834-1788.
Doctors at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
