Various deformities of the chest not only negatively affect a person's aesthetic appearance but can also lead to functional disorders of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. Specialists at the Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic, who have mastered advanced techniques for combating this group of pathologies, are capable of providing patients with the most effective medical assistance. An individual comprehensive therapy program is developed for each patient, with surgical intervention being a key component. The operating physicians have many years of experience in treating such a pathology as funnel chest – reviews of the procedures performed in Israel indicate their high effectiveness and safety.
The level of technical equipment and quality of service at the Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic meet all global standards, so foreign patients can expect to receive qualified assistance even in complex clinical cases. For Israeli specialists, there are no incurable diseases – thanks to the use of a multidisciplinary approach and innovative therapy techniques, they successfully correct any deformities of the chest.
Treatment Methods for Funnel Chest in Israel
Funnel chest is classified as a congenital pathology of the musculoskeletal system, with males being the most susceptible to its development. This defect is also referred to in medical practice as "pectus excavatum." The abnormal development of the ribs leads to the formation of a characteristic funnel in the sternum area, the depth of which may increase as the child grows, negatively impacting the spine, lungs, heart, and other internal organs.
Doctors at the Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic have accumulated invaluable experience in the therapy of funnel chest, successfully performing its correction not only in childhood and adolescence when the body is most amenable to treatment. If an adult patient presents with such a defect, Israeli specialists can also offer effective measures to correct the sunken chest, particularly through palliative surgical interventions. The following methods are used in the comprehensive treatment of funnel chest:
- Conservative Therapy. Most effective in childhood and adolescence, but does not always fully correct the defect, so it is most often conducted in combination with surgical intervention. The Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic employs experienced instructors in physical therapy, massage therapists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation specialists who develop individual exercise programs for patients that help slow the progression of the pathology, strengthen muscles, and prevent the development of spinal deformities. Special breathing exercises are conducted to increase lung capacity and prevent respiratory disorders. Additionally, the use of orthopedic corsets and braces may be recommended, but they are effective only in cases of minimal deformities and at a young age.
- Surgical Treatment. Israeli specialists utilize various surgical techniques to correct defects of the chest. One of the most effective and safe for patients is the Nuss procedure. Special steel plates are implanted into the chest, which help the bones form correctly. After achieving the optimal effect, the plates are removed after 3-4 years, with the risks of reverse deformation minimized. An alternative to the Nuss procedure is the implantation of steel rods – this intervention is even less traumatic as it is performed in a minimally invasive manner through small incisions on the sides of the chest.
- Defects can also be corrected using sternochondroplasty. During the operation, the surgeon separates the chest muscles from the sternum, performs resection of the curved costal cartilages, and installs a straightening metal plate. Due to the fact that sternochondroplasty is quite a voluminous and traumatic intervention, it is recommended to perform it only in cases of significant chest deformities.
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Diagnosis of Funnel Chest in Israel
One of the main conditions for successful treatment is a well-conducted diagnosis. The Ichilov (Sourasky) clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for a wide range of studies, so the entire complex of diagnostic procedures takes patients no more than 3-4 days.
Among medical tourists, video consultations are becoming increasingly popular. Its advantages are that all necessary examinations can be conducted in the home country, results can be emailed to a leading Israeli specialist, who can then provide an expert opinion remotely. A video consultation via Skype will not only help determine the exact diagnosis but also provide information on further treatment options, as well as save time and financial resources required for travel to the country.
First Day. Consultation with the Attending Physician
The doctor conducts a physical examination, reviews the results of previously conducted studies, and organizes the data from the medical history. After that, a list of additional diagnostic procedures is determined.
Second Day. Examination
Diagnosis of funnel chest deformity includes the following studies:
- X-ray.
- Computed Tomography.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
- Electrocardiography.
- Echo Cardiography.
- Spirometry.
- Comprehensive blood tests.
- Spirometry and others.
Third Day. Treatment Assignment
A medical council is convened within the clinic, consisting of leading orthopedists, surgeons, and other specialists. They discuss the results of the diagnosis, establish a final diagnosis, and determine the complex of therapeutic measures.
Funnel Chest: In Israel, Treatment Prices Fully Correspond to Its Quality
Many medical tourists have already confirmed that receiving treatment in Israeli clinics is much more cost-effective than in the USA or Germany. When it comes to a condition like funnel chest, in Israel, the cost of therapy is determined individually for each patient based on the results of comprehensive diagnostics. On average, patients manage to save between 20% to 45% compared to the prices set for similar services in clinics in Western Europe and the United States.
Advantages of Treatment at the Ichilov (Sourasky) Clinic
- Highly qualified doctors, many of whom are world-class experts.
- Fast and accurate diagnostics conducted using state-of-the-art medical equipment.
- Effective and safe therapy methods – Israeli specialists primarily perform minimally invasive interventions, excluding the development of serious postoperative complications.
- Service costs are approximately 20-45% lower than in other countries with a similar level of medical care.
- Maximum comfort for foreign patients – this applies not only to living conditions but also to the absence of a language barrier, as everyone can take advantage of personal curator-translator services.