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Rib Flare

One of the most common aspects of pectus deformity is abnormality of the associated ribcage. This typically affects the lower ribs and the lower edge of the ribcage (the costal arch or margin).

There is a lot of variation in the shape of the costal margin and its shape can change with age, differs in men and women and in body shape particularly central obesity (truncal or abdominal obesity affecting the midriff also known as belly fat). In both pectus excavatum and carinatum as well as mixed deformities the lower ribs can be flared where the ribs and the costal margin either on one (usually the left) or both sides are pulled upwards and stick out. Often Rib flaring can often appear to be the most significant deformity associated with otherwise a minor pectus excavatum or carinatum deformity. Rib flaring can also appear to be isolated without any other obvious abnormality.

Costal margin is made up of the anterior cartilaginous parts of the lower rib cage

Costal margin is made up of the anterior cartilaginous parts of the lower rib cage and is commonly affected in pectus deformities - (Created for the Pectus Clinic by AnatomikModeling)

Please click on the buttons below to see and read about patients verified experiences (in their own words) and testimonials (which generally include before and after treatment photos). The pectus clinic is very grateful to all the patients who provided feedback.

Variation in the shape of the costal margin

Variation in the shape of the costal margin

Variation in the shape of the costal margin

Variation in the shape of the costal margin based on age, gender and physique

Chest CT reconstruction of young woman with left sided pectus carinatum

Chest CT reconstruction of young woman with left sided pectus carinatum (red arrows) and mild rib flare on left (blue arrows) and some rib flattening (green arrow)

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum
Bilateral rib flare showing a right sided costal arch with a dip (or deficit) (arrow in green) where the lower costal arch has not formed completely. In this case it was associated with slipped rib syndrome. NOTE: Incidental pectus Excavatum.

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum
Bilateral rib flare in a young man with no symptoms or other issues

Rib flaring and pectus excavatum. There is a lot of discussion amongst doctors about the best treatment for significant rib flaring as the standard surgical treatment for a pectus excavatum, a NUSS procedure (see Surgery) may not improve rib flaring and some reports have suggested it may even make it more pronounced though once the pectus is corrected over time the flaring may become less apparent. Open (Ravitch or modified Ravitch) procedures in experienced surgical hands may improve the appearance but rib flaring remains a difficult area for the surgeon to tackle.

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum

Rib flaring and Pectus Excavatum

(A) pre-op chest CT scans showing pectus excavatum and left sided rib flare (red ring) and (B) before (left) and after (right) modified Ravitch procedure for severe pectus excavatum and left sided rib flare. See Testimonials.

Treatment for rib flare in either pectus excavatum or carinatum in young patients with flexible chest walls is a rib flare strap for milder cases or a rib flare brace for more severe cases. See Bracing treatment – rib flare.

Specific exercise regimes to target and develop core muscle groups particularly the oblique muscles (see picture) may offer the best chance of improving rib flaring but requires dedication and hard work. Physical therapy can be combined with the rib flare strap. See Bracing treatment – rib flare and treatment Physical Therapy.

Pectus Excavatum
Pectus Carinatum

Examples of rib flare in patients with Pectus Excavatum (A) and Pectus Carinatum (B)

Rib flattening of the lower rib cage, particularly with pectus carinatum can across occur between the sternum and cost margin. It is often on one side and gives its name to more severe forms of pectus carinatum Keel chest. Treatment with pectus bracing and guided physical therapy is effective in correcting. See Bracing treatment – rib flare and treatment Physical Therapy.

Mixed type of pectus deformity
Pectus carinatum with some rib flattening on the right side of the chest (red rings) before pectus bracing treatment

Mixed type of pectus deformity
And after pectus bracing treatment

Please click on the buttons below to see and read about patients verified experiences (in their own words) and testimonials (which generally include before and after treatment photos). The pectus clinic is very grateful to all the patients who provided feedback.