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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates: Visitor Guidelines & More

Safety Measures at Riley Children’s Health

We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View safety measures, mask policy and visiting guidelines.

Information on COVID-19

Learn more about COVID-19, information about previously scheduled appointments and what you can do to help protect your child and family. View COVID-19 information.


Free Virtual Coronavirus Screenings

IU Health has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings. View screening details.

Actualizaciones del Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Información sobre el COVID-19

Obtenga más información acerca del COVID-19, incluyendo las preguntas más frecuentes y lo que puede hacer para ayudar a protegerse y proteger a su familia. Ver información del COVID-19.


Restricciones para visitantes

Las instalaciones de salud de IU Health han implementado restricciones a los visitantes para ayudar a minimizar la propagación del COVID-19, la gripe y otros virus respiratorios. Ver restricciones para visitantes.


Información sobre citas ambulatorias previamente programadas

Para asegurar la salud y la seguridad de todos nuestros pacientes y empleados durante la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19), estamos haciendo ajustes en algunas de nuestras citas ambulatorias. Ver actualizaciones de citas ambulatorias.


Exámenes de coronavirus virtuales gratuitos

IU Health ha lanzado una clínica virtual para ofrecer a las personas en Indiana, independientemente de la edad, evaluaciones virtuales para la detección del coronavirus (COVID-19). Ver detalles de la evaluación.

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Riley Children's Health

Chest Wall Program

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The Chest Wall Program at Riley at IU Health is Indiana’s only multidisciplinary program dedicated to the diagnosis and surgical management of children, adolescents and young adults with chest wall abnormalities.

Our Program

Our Program

The Chest Wall Program combines the expertise of board-certified pediatric general and thoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, pain specialists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and child life therapists.

We focus on the treatment and management of chest wall or thoracic abnormalities, such as:

  • Pectus excavatum (funnel chest)
  • Pectus carinatum (pigeon chest)
  • Poland syndrome
  • Slipped rib syndrome
  • Chest wall reconstruction after resection for cancer or trauma

While chest wall abnormalities may show no symptoms, your child may experience symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath with exertion, exercise intolerance and/or heart palpitations. Most children and their families first notice their chests changing during early adolescence; however, anomalies may be seen earlier or develop symptoms later. At Riley at IU Health, children of any age are welcome into our program.

What to Expect

What to Expect

Your child will initially see one of the pediatric surgeons at any of our conveniently-located outpatient clinics throughout Indiana. After a thorough history and physical examination, you and your child will meet with your child’s surgeon to plan the next steps which may be observation, non-operative management strategies or scheduling a surgery to correct the abnormality.

Diagnostic testing and studies for chest wall abnormalities include:

  • CT scan of the chest. This test is used to evaluate the depth and severity of pectus excavatum.
  • Pulmonary function testing. Used in some cases to determine whether your child's lung function is affected by the chest wall abnormality.
  • Echocardiograph. This test is used to evaluate the function of your child's heart.

Treatment Options

The treatment options available to your child depend's on the type of chest wall abnormality:

  • Pectus excavatum: In children with pectus excavatum, treatment options include surgical repair using minimally invasive thoracoscopic repair (Nuss procedure) or open repair (Ravitch procedure).
  • Pectus carinatum: For children with pectus carinatum, treatments include non-operative correction with a brace or open repair surgery (Ravitch procedure).
  • Other chest wall abnormalities: In children with poland syndrome and other chest wall abnormalities, procedures are tailored to the severity and type of condition.

If your child's treatment includes surgical repair, our multidisciplinary, narcotic-sparring postoperative pain regimen and enhanced recovery protocol is in place to maximize outcomes.

Request an Appointment

The Chest Wall Program at Riley at IU Health accepts self referrals. Call to request an initial consultation.

Call Pediatric Surgery at 317.274.4682

Follow-up Care

To increase access to our patients and families, we offer follow-up visits through IU Health Virtual Visits. Ask your child's surgeon about a scheduled virtual visit.

Learn More About Virtual Visits
Surgery Videocta Surgeryprepenglish

Child's Surgery Prep: English

Katie, a nurse from the surgery team, walks children and their families through what they can expect when having surgery.

Surgery Vdeocta Surgeryprepspanish

Preparándose para la cirugía

Rafael es parte del equipo de expertos que ayuda a que los niños y las familias se preparen para la cirugía en el Hospital Infantil Riley de IU Health.

Riley Pectus Surgery Welcome Thumbnail

Thoracic Abnormalities Overview

Learn about thoracic abnormality treatment options from Riley at IU Health pediatric surgeon, Dr. Landman.

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What to Expect After Your Child's Surgery

Learn what you can expect after your child's surgery.

Conditions & Services

Conditions Treated

Our pediatric specialists provide patient- and family-centered care for most related conditions. The links below provide more specific information about some, but not all, of the conditions that we treat.

  • Thoracic Abnormalities

Services Offered

We offer a number of different Chest Wall Program services. Below are some, but not all, of the services that we provide. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our program.

  • Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pulmonary Function Testing

Our Team and Locations

Our Team

Pediatric Surgery

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    Pediatric Anesthesiology

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      Locations

      Locations

      In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

      Sort through 11 facilities offering Chest Wall Program care by entering your city or zip below.

      See all facilities

      Related Programs & Departments

      Related Programs & Departments

      We provide multispecialty care for a number of conditions. Below are links to our related programs & departments.

      • Anesthesiology
      • Pediatric Pain Management Program
      • Pediatric Surgery
      • Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy

      Health Professionals

      For Health Professionals

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      The Chest Wall Program works closely with referring physicians and families to provide the most convenient care. We also teach medical students and residents, so they can receive training in pediatric surgery and participate in research.

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