Success and duration of dynamic bracing for pectus carinatum: A four-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND This study sought to establish factors that can prognosticate outcomes of bracing for pectus carinatum (PC). METHODS Prospective data were collected on all patients enrolled in a dynamic bracing protocol from July 2011 to July 2015. Pressure of correction (POC) was measured at initiation of treatment, and pressure of treatment (POT) was measured pre- and post-adjustment at every follow-up visit. Univariate and Cox regression analysis tested the following possible determinants of success and bracing duration: age, sex, symmetry, POC, and POT drop during the first two follow-up visits. RESULTS Of 114 patients, 64 (56%) succeeded, 33 (29%) were still in active bracing, and 17 (15%) failed or were lost to follow-up. In successful patients, active and maintenance bracing was 5.66±3.81 and 8.80±3.94months, respectively. Asymmetry and older age were significantly associated with failure. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis of time-to-maintenance showed that asymmetry (p=0.01) and smaller first drop in POT (p=0.02) were associated with longer time to reach maintenance. CONCLUSIONS Pressure of correction does not predict failure of bracing, but older age, asymmetry, and smaller first drop in pressure of treatment are associated with failure and longer bracing duration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prospective Study/Level of Evidence IV.