Evaluation of sternochondroplasty efficacy in treatment of pectus deformities.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sternochondroplasty for repair of pectus deformities. METHODS: Thirty-three patients underwent repair of pectus deformity with a sternochondroplasty technique between 1989 and 2009. Studied variables were age, sex, symptoms, pulmonary function tests before and after surgery, Haller index, complications, recurrence, and cosmetic results. RESULTS: The median age at operation was 13.27 years. Twenty patients (13 male and 7 female) had pectus excavatum, and 13 (11 male and 2 female) had pectus carinatum. Congenital anomalies associated with pectus excavatum included a skeletal anomaly in 6 (30%) patients and a cardiac anomaly in 4 (20%); only 1 patient with pectus carinatum had cardiac anomaly. Inspiratory vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were significantly different before and after surgery in patients with pectus excavatum, but there was no significant difference in functional residual capacity. Pulmonary function tests showed no significant differences before and after surgery in patients with pectus carinatum. Complications after surgery were seroma in 2 cases and 1 case each of pneumothorax and atelectasis. Recurrence was observed in 2 cases of pectus excavatum. The cosmetic result was excellent in 93.9% of cases. Hospital mortality was zero. CONCLUSION: Sternochondroplasty is a desirable procedure for repairing pectus deformities. This procedure has minimal complications and the cosmetic and physiologic results are excellent.

Pulmonary function tests and work-related respiratory and allergic symptoms in Iranian bakers.

Bakers are frequently exposed to various irritant chemicals during work which can induce respiratory problems. In this study, pulmonary function tests and self-reported respiratory and allergic symptoms in bakers were compared with matched control subjects. The frequency of respiratory and allergic symptoms was evaluated in a sample of 58 Iranian bakers and 58 control subjects using a questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were also measured in all participants. All respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in bakers than control croup (p<0.05 to p<0.005). All allergic symptoms in bakers were also significantly greater than control group (p<0.05 to p<0.005). In addition, all respiratory (except sputum) and allergic (except urticaria) symptoms were significantly higher in bakers compared to rest period (p<0.05 to p<0.01) during work. Most PFT values except MEF25 were also significantly lower in bakers than control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). These results showed that bakers have a higher frequency of work related respiratory symptoms and to a lesser extend allergic symptoms particularly during the work period. PFT values were also significantly reduced among bakers.