Page 27 - Waterfall City August Issue 2023

in the benefits of the minimally invasive
Nuss procedure has helped us to realise
that the condition is so much more than
cosmetic.

“Not only does PE cause the chest to
have a distinctive and unusual inverted
appearance, but it tends to displace
the heart to the left of the chest cavity,
thereby compressing its right ventricle.
It also results in restricted movement of
Pectus bars post-operative
the chest wall,” he adds.
now was considered ‘normal’ for me. My it – even though, at times, it was most Typical symptoms may include
heart and chest were more problematic uncomfortable and painful, particularly shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain,
than ever, leaving me deeply anxious.” on top of my being badly affected by a rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations,
morning sickness.” frequent respiratory infections,
In search of a solution coughing or wheezing, as well as the
While scouring the internet for a PE and the Nuss procedure psychological effects of living with this
solution, Ingrid found an electro- What is PE? Dr Schewitz explains: “PE condition.
physiologist and a cardiothoracic is a congenital condition in which
surgeon, and in 2019, at age 33, she had the breastbone has a distinctive and A second and third
a cardiac ablation to treat her abnormal unusual inverted appearance. This pregnancy
heart rhythm. Her problems were, is caused by the overgrowth of the Following the procedure, Ingrid
however, not behind her as the root cartilage adjacent to the breastbone, experienced uncomplicated
cause of her condition had not been which when growing too fast, pushes pregnancies, giving birth to two healthy
resolved. the breastbone in. This is called children with the Nuss bars in place.
excavatum.
After ongoing research and reaching “During these two pregnancies, I had
out to countless specialists, Ingrid “In Ingrid’s case, her sunken chest no breathing difficulties and was still
finally received a positive response put pressure on her lungs and heart. gardening up until I gave birth. I was not
from cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Ivan This was further exacerbated by her feeling my heart pounding in my chest
Schewitz, a pioneer in his field, credited pregnancy due to the elevation of her anymore. By the time our second baby
with introducing to South Africa diaphragm, which would not only have arrived, I had recovered enough from
thoracoscopic surgery as well as the caused unbearable discomfort but also the surgery to be able to cope with the
minimally invasive repair of PE, using chest pain and breathing difficulties.” postpartum demands,” says Ingrid.
the Nuss procedure.
Dr Schewitz practises primarily from Adds Dr Schewitz: “The stainless-steel
For Ingrid, the consultation with Netcare Waterfall City Hospital, but also bars remained in place for just over
Dr Schewitz finally delivered the works at a number of other Netcare three years to ensure that the chest wall
solution that she had been so hospitals around the country. correction was stable. The bars were
desperately looking for over many years. recently removed at Netcare Waterfall
But just after being scheduled for the He goes on to explain that during the City Hospital. Due to Ingrid’s third
Nuss procedure, she found out that she Nuss procedure, two small incisions are pregnancy, the procedure was slightly
was pregnant with her second child. made on the side of the chest so that delayed, but she went home after just a
a stainless-steel bar can be inserted day in hospital.”
“Particularly because of the healthcare behind the deformed breastbone from
issues I faced during my first pregnancy, where it is attached to the outer edge of Looking back on her ordeal, Ingrid says:
I decided to go through with the the ribs. “When thinking of the lonely road I
procedure. I was 16 weeks pregnant at walked for so many years, I consider
the time that I had the Nuss procedure,” “In Ingrid’s case, two bars were inserted myself extremely fortunate that I finally
says Ingrid. to correct the problem. It is rather crossed paths with a knowledgeable,
disquieting that for so many years, this capable surgeon. Even now I find it
“Although this may be considered condition has been considered purely hard to explain how my quality of life
controversial, for me, it was well worth cosmetic. However, a growing interest has changed for the better.”

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