Leading Care for Chest Wall Deformities
At University of Utah Health, we specialize in expert care for children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 30) living with chest wall deformities. Our dedicated team at the Utah Pectus Program offer world-class diagnosis and treatment for many conditions:
- Pectus carinatum (pigeon chest)
- Pectus excavatum (sunken chest)
- Mixed deformities
- Pectus arcuatum
- Rib flaring
- Slipping rib syndrome
We recognize that every patient is unique and use a multidisciplinary approach. Our specialists collaborate closely with experts in cardiology, orthopedics, genetics, and physical therapy to ensure a seamless, comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs.
What Is a Chest Wall Deformity?
Many children are born with a chest wall deformity, though it often stays hidden until the teenage growth spurt. If you’ve noticed you or your child’s chest appearing sunken (pectus excavatum) or protruding (pectus carinatum), you aren't alone—and expert help is available. While these conditions are more common in boys and may run in families, every patient's journey is different. Some cases are mild, while others are more visible and can impact physical health or confidence.
Prioritizing Your Health
Addressing a pectus deformity is about more than just appearance. Treatment ensures the heart and lungs have the space they need to function properly, while also helping people feel more comfortable and confident in their own bodies.
I would make the decision to have this surgery a million times over again. I feel so much more comfortable in my body, and I can do the things I love without worrying about being able to breathe. It’s changed my life.
Make an Appointment
The Utah Pectus Program at U of U Health makes it easy to get started. You can schedule your initial evaluation directly or work with your primary care provider for a referral.
How to Schedule
Whether you are a new or returning patient, you have several ways to book your appointment:
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By Phone: Call us at 801-662-2950 to speak with a scheduler.
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Online: Use our convenient online request form to submit your information and have a member of our team contact you.
Referrals and Insurance
While we do not require a formal referral for an evaluation, it is important to check with your insurance provider first. Some insurance plans require a referral from a primary care doctor to ensure your visits are covered.
If your doctor is referring you to our program, they can send your information several ways:
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Fax: 801-662-2980
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Phone: 801-662-2950
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Online: Complete our professional referral form
We look forward to partnering with you to find the best treatment solution for your chest wall health.
What to Expect at Your Pectus Consultation
At the Utah Pectus Program, our goal is to understand the unique anatomy of every patient. Your pediatric specialist will begin with a thorough physical examination and a review of symptoms to determine how the deformity may be impacting daily life and physical activity.
Diagnostic Testing
To create a precise treatment plan, we utilize advanced diagnostic tools, including:
- Imaging: Chest x-ray or CT scans to measure the severity of the deformity.
- Cardiac Evaluation: Echocardiograms or EKGs to monitor heart function.
- Functional Testing: Stress tests to evaluate breathing during physical activity.
Personalized Treatment Solutions
Treatment is tailored to the severity of the condition and the specific type of deformity:
- For pectus carinatum, bracing is often the most effective non-surgical solution, typically yielding excellent results without the need for an operation.
- For pectus excavatum, while many patients benefit from minimally invasive surgery, we also evaluate candidates for specialized non-surgical alternatives whenever possible.
Associated Conditions
In some cases, pectus carinatum occurs alongside other medical conditions, particularly those affecting the bones or connective tissues:
- Spinal Conditions: It is sometimes seen in patients with scoliosis (an atypical sideways curve of the spine) or kyphosis (an exaggerated outward rounding of the back).
- Connective Tissue Disorders: Conditions such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affect the body’s "glue" or supportive tissues, are occasionally linked to chest wall deformities.
At the Utah Pectus Program, our specialists take a holistic view of your health, evaluating these associated conditions to ensure a safe and effective treatment plan.
Find a Pectus Specialist
7 Resulting Health Care Providers
A Relationship Created for the Best Pediatric Care
For pediatric specialty care, Intermountain Children's Health is affiliated with University of Utah Health. U of U Health providers see patients at Primary Children's Hospital on campus, Lehi Primary Children's, and other locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
It's a shared mission of providing health care, education, and research. It comes to life through collaboration on clinical care, research, and educational programs.
Primary Children's Hospital operates as the main pediatric facility for the University of Utah Health system, providing care in more than 60 medical and surgical specialties such as surgery, oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, and others. Most of the providers at Primary Children's Hospital are faculty members at U of U Health.
This partnership delivers care to advance pediatric medicine while educating future generations of health care professionals.
