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Surgical Repair of Pectus Excavatum Markedly Improves Body Image and Perceived Ability for Physical Activity: Multicenter Study.

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Title: Surgical Repair of Pectus Excavatum Markedly Improves Body Image and Perceived Ability for Physical Activity: Multicenter Study.
Authors: Kelly Jr., Robert E., Cash, Thomas F., Sharnberger, Robert C., Mitchell, Karen K., Mellins, Robert B., Lawson, M. Louise, Oldham, Keith, Azizkhan, Richard G., Hebra, Andre V., Nuss, Donald, Goretsky, Michael J., Sharp, Ronald J., Holcomb, George W., Shim, Walton K. T., Megison, Stephen M., Moss, B. Lawrence, Fecteau, Annie H., Colombani, Paul M., Bagley, Traci, Quinn, Amy
Source: Pediatrics. Dec2008, Vol. 122 Issue 6, p1218-1222. 5p. 2 Charts.
Subjects: Chest abnormalities, Body image, Pediatric research, Genetic disorders in children, Human abnormalities, Thoracic surgery, Likert scale, Scale analysis (Psychology), Disabilities, Psychology
Geographic Terms: North America
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated changes in both physical and psychological quality of life reported by the parent and child after surgical repair of pectus excavatum. METHODS. As part of a multicenter study of pectus excavatum, a previously validated tool called the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire was administered by the research coordinator, via telephone, to parents and patients (8-21 years of age) before and 1 year adter surgery. Eleven North American children's hospitals participated. From 2001 to 2006, 264 patients and 291 parents completed the initial questionnaire, and 247 parents completed the postoperative questionnaire. Responses used a Likert-type scale of 1 to 4, reflecting the extent or frequency of particular experience, with higher values conveying less-desirable experience. RESULTS. Preoperative psychological functioning was unrelated to objective pectus excavatum severity (computed tomographic index). Patients and their parents reported significant positive postoperative changes. Improvements occurred in both physical and psychological functioning, including less social self-consciousness and a more-favorable body image. For children, the body image component improved from 2.30 ± 0.62 (mean ± SD) to 1.40 ± 0.42 after surgery and the physical difficulties component improved from 2.11 ± 0.82 to 1.37 ± 0.44. For the parent questionnaire, the child's emotional difficulties improved from 1.81 ± 0.70 to 1.24 ± 0.36, social self-conciousness improved from 2.14 ± 0.75 to 1.32 ± 0.39. Ninety-seven percent of patients thought that surgery improved how their chest looked. CONCLUSIONS. Surgical repair of pectus excavatum can significantly improve the body image difficulties and limitations on physical activity experienced by patients. These result should prompt physicians to consider the physiologic and psychological implications of pectus excavatum just as they would any other physical deformity known to have such consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated changes in both physical and psychological quality of life reported by the parent and child after surgical repair of pectus excavatum. METHODS. As part of a multicenter study of pectus excavatum, a previously validated tool called the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire was administered by the research coordinator, via telephone, to parents and patients (8-21 years of age) before and 1 year adter surgery. Eleven North American children's hospitals participated. From 2001 to 2006, 264 patients and 291 parents completed the initial questionnaire, and 247 parents completed the postoperative questionnaire. Responses used a Likert-type scale of 1 to 4, reflecting the extent or frequency of particular experience, with higher values conveying less-desirable experience. RESULTS. Preoperative psychological functioning was unrelated to objective pectus excavatum severity (computed tomographic index). Patients and their parents reported significant positive postoperative changes. Improvements occurred in both physical and psychological functioning, including less social self-consciousness and a more-favorable body image. For children, the body image component improved from 2.30 ± 0.62 (mean ± SD) to 1.40 ± 0.42 after surgery and the physical difficulties component improved from 2.11 ± 0.82 to 1.37 ± 0.44. For the parent questionnaire, the child's emotional difficulties improved from 1.81 ± 0.70 to 1.24 ± 0.36, social self-conciousness improved from 2.14 ± 0.75 to 1.32 ± 0.39. Ninety-seven percent of patients thought that surgery improved how their chest looked. CONCLUSIONS. Surgical repair of pectus excavatum can significantly improve the body image difficulties and limitations on physical activity experienced by patients. These result should prompt physicians to consider the physiologic and psychological implications of pectus excavatum just as they would any other physical deformity known to have such consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00314005
DOI:10.1542/peds.2007-2723