Congenital malformations of the chest: 3D model, classification and quantification (new approach to tactical systematization of pathology)

Abstract

Objective: to systematize the variants of congenital chest deformities according to original tactical ASFI-classification (abbreviation formed due to the main characteristic — type of chest Abnormality, chest Symmetry or asymmetry, Functional disorders and metric Indexes. Materials and methods. 434 patients aged from 1 till 17 years (362 with funnel chest deformity, 56 with pectus carinatum and 16 with rare congenital malformations of the sterno-costalvertebral complex (Poland, Jeune, Currarino– Silverman, Jarcho–Levin syndromes) are separated according 3D chest model. Criteria of thorax asymmetry and functional dysfunctions are presented. Results. The proposed systematization of the chest malformations and quantitative indices suggest a more objective assessment of the pathology, and allows to use it as a working tool for thoracic orthopedics. The principles of systematization could be applied as for congenital as developed chest deformities, incl. infectious, post-manipulation (iatrogenic), etc.