Pectus Excavatum Surgery and Surgeons (health, rated, toddler)

[wellguy]

Good Evening,

Anytime one has a question about health related probelms its' pretty hard to talk about them so here it goes.

My Son is 19 and was born with a condition called Pectus Excavatum (Sunken Chest). As a toddler we visited three Pediatric Surgeons who basically said not to worry about the condition unless he has any problems which I have listed below. All three Surgeons said that he would be considered to be moderate to severe as far as the Sunken Chest. As my Son has grown he has adapted to the condition and has had no problems except the cosmetic ones, not wanting to take off his shirt, etc.

He has an appt. with his Primary Care Physician within the next week and a half to discuss some problems he is having which include shortness of breath, pain in the area, a sore back due to his shoulders wanting to slump forward and holding them back to prevent poor posture. All three Pediatric Surgeons' said these problems could occur later in life . He has had regular Doctor's visits throughout his life including physicals and he is as healthy as a horse. No Doctor has ever thought that his Pectus Excavatum was an issue. Of course he had not been having the problems until the past couple of weeks. I will be honest with you in saying that my Wife and I rarely talk about his condition to him and the same from him to us. The reason for this is his sensitivity which we respect.

So here is my question. This occurs in 1 in 300 births and surgery can correct the problem and symptoms. People of all ages have had surgery. Do you all know of anyone whether child or adult that has had this condition and the corrective surgery?. If so was it successful? (I have read that the problem can reoccur years later). Do you know the name of the Surgeon who operated on the individual?

Thank you,