Asymmetric Congenital Deformity of the Ribs Collapse of the Right Side of the Chest

Abstract

A congenital deformity of the chest is described in which all of the ribs and costal cartilages on the right side are deeply depressed, the apex of the depression being much farther lateral than is usual in pectus excavatum. The sternum is not depressed or scaphoid but is usually rotated to the right, sometimes markedly. The right breast is smaller than the left breast. Four of the patients were female and one was male. A single unsatisfactory experience demonstrated that rigid internal fixation is required. In the other four patients, triple section of the costochondral elements and appropriate elevation and fixation to Steinmann pins passed through the derotated sternum and to a Rehbein splint passed anterior to the sternum have given excellent results.