The impact of elastic chest belt on chest wall deformity after costal cartilage harvesting

Abstract

Objective To evaluate whether restricted breathing movement by wearing elastic chest belt within half a year postoperatively could decrease the incidence of chest wall deformity after costal cartilage harvesting. Methods The contour of chests of the patients receiving the third-stage operation of auricular reconstruction was assessed 1 year after costal cartilage harvesting with history collection and physical examination. The incidence of costal wall deformity was summarized and compared by wearing elastic chest belt or not within half a year postoperatively. Logistic regression was used to analyze the significance of results. Results Thirty-eight eligible patients were enrolled in the study. The incidence of chest wall deformity in patients wearing chest elastic chest belt as requested for half a year was lower (64.7% vs. 95.2%), and the difference was statistically significant, OR 10.9, 95%CI[1.16, 102.60], P=0.037. Conclusions Restricted breathing movement by wearing elastic chest belt within half a year postoperatively could decrease the incidence of chest wall deformity following costal cartilage harvesting through decreasing the traction force caused by respiratory muscles and intrathoracic negative pressure. Key words: Costal cartilage harvest; Chest wall deformity; Elastic belt