When you’re considering surgery for your child, you want the very best. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave the Chattanooga area to find a highly skilled and experienced surgeon. Lisa Smith, MD with University Surgical Associates has 16 years of pediatric surgery experience and is the only surgeon performing minimally invasive chest wall reconstruction surgery in this region. She’s cared for more than 800 children with chest wall deformities and has developed a revolutionary, team based program which she calls Pectacular!
Chest wall deformities include a wide spectrum of disorders that range from severely sunken in to severely protruded – and every degree in between. Some deformities are obvious at birth, but they may not be apparent until a child is nine or 10 years old. One in 500 children (most commonly boys), are born with pectus excavatum – a congenital deformity where the chest cartilage grows abnormally, producing a caved-in appearance in the chest wall. A less common condition is pectus carinatum, where the chest bows outward rather than inward. This condition is nicknamed ‘pigeon chest’ and occurs in roughly one out 1,500 births.
The Pectacular! program at USA specializes in leading surgical procedures and non-surgical treatment for pediatric patients with chest wall deformities. The program guides patients and their families through pre-surgery educational sessions, pre-hab (a process that prepares the body through breathing exercises and strengthening key muscles), surgery, and follow-up care. It also connects them with a network of families who’ve been through the procedure and can answer questions and provide support.
“We understand that a parent’s decision to seek treatment for their child is complex and involves the whole family,” says Dr. Smith. “That’s why our comprehensive program addresses the family’s needs step by step. It connects patients with others who’ve already been through it and can see the positive impact on their child’s life and health. Having those questions answered by other parents is invaluable to understanding how you can best encourage and care for your child.”
Improving Self-Esteem and Physical Health