[Correction of the congenital malformations of the front chest wall by the modelling technique of sternochondroplasty: technique and results on a series of 14 cases].

In the congenital malformations of the front chest wall showing depression or protrusion, the cardiorespiratory disorders are inconstant and often not linked with the distortion. On the other hand psychoaffective repercussions are major in adolescents and young adults justifying recourse to surgery with morphological and aesthetic aiming. The authors present the technique of modelling sternochondroplasty by raising with osteosynthesis by slide fastener-handle of Martin-Borrelly, applied to the correction of congenital malformation of the front chest wall in young adult, both of protrusion (pectus carinatum), of thoraxes in funnel (pectus excavatum) types or of mixed types (pectus arcuatum). This surgical replanning intervention is carried out by under-mammary way and aims at reestablishing a normal anatomy of the front chest wall. It leads to a genuine wide sternochondrocostal volet, which is stabilised by a specific, multipurpose, adaptable and reliable osteosynthesis equipment. The results obtained on a series of 14 cases are good or excellent in 86% of the cases and stable over time in the absence of major complications. A good cooperation of the patient is essential to obtain a good result in particular via the continuation of musculation exercises after assembly consolidation, possibly associated with remote mammary plastic surgery in the event of hypoplasia or of associated mammary agenesia.