Ingrid Dammann’s long-standing struggle with pectus excavatum, a chest wall deformity, is finally resolved through the Nuss procedure, offering her relief and a restored quality of life.
South Africa (01 July 2023) – At the age of 31, while pregnant with her first baby, Ingrid Dammann discovered that her sunken chest, a condition known as pectus excavatum (PE), was more than just a cosmetic issue.
For years, medical professionals dismissed her concerns, leaving her frustrated and alone on her journey for answers. Ingrid, living in Glencoe, KwaZulu-Natal, experienced various health challenges, including dizziness, breathlessness, and an irregular heartbeat. It wasn’t until she found Dr Ivan Schewitz, a leading cardiothoracic surgeon, that she received the support she needed.
“The phrase ‘there’s nothing wrong with you’, uttered during many a medical investigation, would to me become the most unnerving and frustrating verdict. It was, in retrospect, the loneliest road I’ve ever walked,” she says.
Dr Schewitz introduced Ingrid to the Nuss procedure, a minimally invasive repair method for PE. Although she discovered her second pregnancy just before scheduling the procedure, she chose to go ahead with it.
While uncomfortable and painful, especially in combination with morning sickness, Ingrid believed it was worth it. PE is a congenital condition where the breastbone appears inverted due to overgrowth of adjacent cartilage. In Ingrid’s case, the sunken chest put pressure on her lungs and heart, exacerbated by the elevation of her diaphragm during pregnancy.
“For the first time ever the specialists I was consulting took my complaints seriously, but they still could not find clear answers to my problem. After recovering from the caesarean section, the symptoms I experienced during pregnancy did not disappear and my health did not return to what by now was considered ‘normal’ for me. My heart and my chest were more problematic than ever, leaving me deeply anxious.”
During the Nuss procedure, two small incisions are made on the side of the chest, allowing the insertion of stainless steel bars behind the deformed breastbone, which are then attached to the outer edge of the ribs. In Ingrid’s case, two bars were used to correct the condition. The procedure has shifted the perception of PE from purely cosmetic to a condition with significant physical implications, such as displacing the heart and restricting chest wall movement.
After the Nuss procedure, Ingrid had two uncomplicated pregnancies, giving birth to healthy children while the bars remained in place. She experienced improved breathing, no heart palpitations, and a better quality of life. Recently, the stainless steel bars were removed to ensure the stability of the chest wall correction. Ingrid feels fortunate to have crossed paths with Dr Schewitz, as her journey to find a solution was long and challenging.
She is grateful for the positive impact the procedure has had on her life.
Ingrid’s story highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing conditions like pectus excavatum beyond their cosmetic appearance. With the help of dedicated medical professionals, individuals like Ingrid can find the support and treatment they need to improve their quality of life.
“When thinking of the lonely road I walked for so many years I consider myself extremely fortunate that I finally crossed paths with a knowledgeable, capable surgeon. Even now I find it hard to explain how my quality of life has changed for the better,” concludes Ingrid.
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