In our STEAM class, Disease, we studied the 11 body systems. We learned the importance of each one, and what organs make up the systems. We studied a commonly known disease called cancer. For our first action project, we had to study someone that has or is experiencing a chronic illness. The person I chose to study is going to be called Kirk and had a hereditary disease that is called pectus excavatum. Below is what I have learned about the disease.
In the early stages of Kirk’d adolescence, his genetic disorder began to develop. This disorder is called pectus excavatum, or otherwise known as, funnel chest. Kirk was taken to the hospital to see what exactly was happening to him. Kirk’s mom asked his doctor to take a look at his chest and was told he was having a hormonal problem. I interviewed Kirk's mother to see what she had to say about the disease. "The doctor asked if I or his dad had any past illnesses, because my Kirk apparently had a hereditary disorder called pectus excavatum, and I told him that his father and his father's father had the same thing." Kirk's mother had said. Kirk’s doctor recommended that they wait for his body to finish growing, and was positive that his chest would fix itself eventually.
Although Kirk’s chest was severely caved in, he did not experience any of the symptoms that a diagnosed patient could have. The symptoms that he could have experienced were heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat. Heart palpitations could mean several things, such as the heart skipping a beat, or beating to fast, or the heart-pounding very hard. The cardiovascular, respiratory, and skeletal systems are affected by pectus excavatum. Because of Kirk’s disorder, his heart was pushed to the left side of his chest. This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently. Kirk’s lungs were also compressed which causes him to have a shortness of breath.
Kirk has never faced any physical issues as he became older but was worried about his image constantly. “I remember avoiding the beach because I didn’t want anyone to see my chest. It looks really weird, and because mine was so deep it was hard to not get looks every now and then.” Kirk lacked confidence in outdoor activities and would often avoid any and all activities that involved swimming.
Near the end of Kirk’s high school years, his chest had completely fixed itself into the correct shape. Because of this, Kirk did not have to consider having surgery. Most patients with pectus excavatum would have surgery if their condition was severe or worsening. There are two options for patients with pectus excavatum; The Nuss, or Ravitch procedure. Both surgeries have the same goal, which is to reposition the sternum into a more outward position so that there is less pressure on the heart and lungs.
The Nuss procedure starts off with a small camera inserted in the patient's chest to guide the surgeons in the procedure. Two small cuts are made on each side of the chest. Before surgery, a steel bar is customized to the shape of the individual patient and is pushed through the one side of the chest to correct the caved in chest. The bar is left in the patient's body for three years. Sometimes, when the steel bar is removed from a patient the chest may go back to the incorrect position and may be required to have another surgery.
The Ravitch procedure, which is also known as the "traditional" surgical repair of pectus excavatum. An incision is made in the front of the chest which allows the surgeon to remove cartilaginous parts of the ribs that have overgrown and caused the sternum to move back. The sternum will naturally move forward and release pressure on the heart and lungs. A metal plate is screwed in to keep the sternum in place. after a maximum of one year, the plate is removed. A patient is still at risk of their chest returning to the incorrect position and may need to have the surgery redone.
By the beginning of Kirk's college years, his chest was completely normal and continued to live a healthy life. He did not have to worry about his body image.
Thank you for reading my work, I hope that you have learned something about pectus excavatum and can use his knowledge in the future. Thank you!
SOURCES USED
“Pectus Excavatum.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Oct. 2018
“Pectus Excavatum Management and Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic
In the early stages of Kirk’d adolescence, his genetic disorder began to develop. This disorder is called pectus excavatum, or otherwise known as, funnel chest. Kirk was taken to the hospital to see what exactly was happening to him. Kirk’s mom asked his doctor to take a look at his chest and was told he was having a hormonal problem. I interviewed Kirk's mother to see what she had to say about the disease. "The doctor asked if I or his dad had any past illnesses, because my Kirk apparently had a hereditary disorder called pectus excavatum, and I told him that his father and his father's father had the same thing." Kirk's mother had said. Kirk’s doctor recommended that they wait for his body to finish growing, and was positive that his chest would fix itself eventually.
Although Kirk’s chest was severely caved in, he did not experience any of the symptoms that a diagnosed patient could have. The symptoms that he could have experienced were heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat. Heart palpitations could mean several things, such as the heart skipping a beat, or beating to fast, or the heart-pounding very hard. The cardiovascular, respiratory, and skeletal systems are affected by pectus excavatum. Because of Kirk’s disorder, his heart was pushed to the left side of his chest. This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently. Kirk’s lungs were also compressed which causes him to have a shortness of breath.
Kirk has never faced any physical issues as he became older but was worried about his image constantly. “I remember avoiding the beach because I didn’t want anyone to see my chest. It looks really weird, and because mine was so deep it was hard to not get looks every now and then.” Kirk lacked confidence in outdoor activities and would often avoid any and all activities that involved swimming.
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| ALL Organs Physical affects of Pectus Excavatum (2019) |
Near the end of Kirk’s high school years, his chest had completely fixed itself into the correct shape. Because of this, Kirk did not have to consider having surgery. Most patients with pectus excavatum would have surgery if their condition was severe or worsening. There are two options for patients with pectus excavatum; The Nuss, or Ravitch procedure. Both surgeries have the same goal, which is to reposition the sternum into a more outward position so that there is less pressure on the heart and lungs.
The Nuss procedure starts off with a small camera inserted in the patient's chest to guide the surgeons in the procedure. Two small cuts are made on each side of the chest. Before surgery, a steel bar is customized to the shape of the individual patient and is pushed through the one side of the chest to correct the caved in chest. The bar is left in the patient's body for three years. Sometimes, when the steel bar is removed from a patient the chest may go back to the incorrect position and may be required to have another surgery.
The Ravitch procedure, which is also known as the "traditional" surgical repair of pectus excavatum. An incision is made in the front of the chest which allows the surgeon to remove cartilaginous parts of the ribs that have overgrown and caused the sternum to move back. The sternum will naturally move forward and release pressure on the heart and lungs. A metal plate is screwed in to keep the sternum in place. after a maximum of one year, the plate is removed. A patient is still at risk of their chest returning to the incorrect position and may need to have the surgery redone.
By the beginning of Kirk's college years, his chest was completely normal and continued to live a healthy life. He did not have to worry about his body image.
Thank you for reading my work, I hope that you have learned something about pectus excavatum and can use his knowledge in the future. Thank you!
SOURCES USED
“Pectus Excavatum.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Oct. 2018
“Pectus Excavatum Management and Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic
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