Pectus Carinatum Management

Pectus Carinatum Orthosis (pectus bracing)
Pectus Carinatum is an anterior chest wall deformity that is due to overgrowth of the costal cartilages. The overgrowth results in the sternum being pushed forward and protruding abnormally from the chest wall. Pectus carinatum can be corrected in many cases with a special custom-made pectus brace.

Scientifically backed low profile brace design
James first began treating children with Pectus Carinatum after meeting with a local pediatric surgeon. After studying and discussing several research articles documenting pectus bracing, James organized a treatment protocol and developed a brace design to correct pectus carinatum. 

Experience counts
Just as important as brace design, experience counts in treating pectus carinatum. Each case is unique and requires a treatment approach specific to the patient and James Del Bianco is set apart from the rest. James has the experience to understand what is possible with a brace and how to design it to obtain the maximum possible correction of your pectus deformity. 

We welcome patients from all over the country
Treating pectus carinatum is a unique specialty to DPO. We welcome parents and patients from all over North Carolina and the country. Contact us to discuss treatment and plan a visit to begin bracing treatment. We can help assist you with accommodations in the area and make you aware of many recreational activities in the area during your stay. If you travel from another state, special arrangements will be made to assist you over a 2 day period to minimize time away from work or school.

We continue to conduct research
We are currently involved with research to further the scientific base of knowledge supporting pectus bracing. We are examining pressures to begin to understand when pectus bracing is most effective and when surgery may be considered. James has also presented his treatment protocol at the 35th Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium hosted by AAOP titled "The Orthotic Management of Pectus Carinatum". 

Here are some of the scientific papers documenting pectus bracing
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  1. A Less Intensive Bracing Protocol for Pectus Carinatum
  2. Bracing in Pediatric Patients with Pectus Carinatum is Effective and Improves Quality of Life
  3. Bracing is an Effective Therapy for Pectus Carinatum
  4. Factors Affecting Patient Compliance with Compressive Brace Therapy for Pectus Carinatum
  5. Measured Dynamic Compression for Pectus Carinatum
  6. Pectus Carinamtum- The Effects of Orthotic Bracing on Pulmonary Function and Gradual Compression on Patient Compliance
  7. Pectus Carinatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PCEQ)- A Novel Tool to Improve the Follow-Up in Patients Treated With Brace Compression
  8. Pectus Carinatum
  9. Success and Duration of Dynamic Bracing for Pectus Carinatum- A Four Year Prospective Study 
  10. The Dynamic Compression Brace for Pectus Carinatum- Intermediate Results in 286 Patients
  11. Fonkalsrud E. Surgical correction of pectus carinatum: lessons learned from 260 patients. J pediatr Surg 2008:43:1235-1243.
  12. Banever GT, Konefal SH, Gettens K, et al. Nonoperative correction of pectus carinatum with orthotic bracing. J laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques 2006;16:2:164-167.
  13. Kravarusic D, Dicken B, Dewar R, et al. The Calgary protocol for bracing of pectus carinatum: a preliminary report. J pediatr surg 2006;41:923-926.
  14. Frey AS, Garcia VF, Brown RL, et al. Nonoperative management of pectus carinatum. J pediatr surg 2006;41:40-45.
  15. Martinez-Ferro M, Fraire C, Bernard S. Dynamic compression system for the correction of pectus carinatum. S pediatr surg 2008; 17:194-200.