nach oben Zum Kontaktformular

Funnel chest treatment: Unique in Düsseldorf

Surgery with custom-made implant

Information on funnel chest treatment

  • Treatment duration: approx. 1 hour
  • Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia
  • Hospital stay: 1-2 overnight stays
  • Downtime: approx. 14 days
  • Restriction from sports: 12 weeks
  • Price: from € 7.000,- (plus anaesthetic costs)

Funnel chest (Pectus excavatum) is a congenital malformation of the ribcage. Approximately 1-2% of the population suffer from this malformation, which varies from person to person.

Depending on the severity, different forms of treatment are possible and beneficial. When there are functionally unimpaired forms of funnel chest, no extensive surgery is required. We can correct the malformation optically by inserting a custom-made implant based on your measurements without having to perform extensive or painful operations on the bony thorax.

We are pleased to offer this special and effective treatment method as one of the five competence centres in Germany - unique in the Düsseldorf area.

Your custom-made 3D silicone implant



After a consultation about the operation and its procedure, a radiologist will perform a special computer tomography of your chest. Based on the data obtained, your individual silicone implant will be calculated and designed by Anatomic modeling. The implant will then be manufactured by the renowned company Sebbin.

If women wish to have an additional enlargement of the breasts with silicone implants, the earliest this would be possible is six months after the funnel chest correction. The breast implants should then be inserted in front of the pectoral muscle.

Arrange a consultation online now

Do you have questions about funnel chest treatment or would you like to make an appointment online? Please contact us.

Call us at +49 211 87630240 or make an appointment online with us.

Online appointment

1. Is a funnel chest treatment useful if there are no physical impairments?

In a majority of cases, funnel chest surgery does not cause any physical discomfort. However, even if pain and other physical complaints and impairments such as reduced function of internal organs are absent, surgical correction can still be useful. For many of those affected, a deformation of the chest represents a great psychological burden.

A funnel chest correction can be successfully performed at any age by using a custom-made implant. However, one’s growth phase should already be completed. In conventional surgical methods, a funnel chest correction is only recommended towards the end of puberty.

2. Which methods are used to perform a funnel chest correction?

Our plastic surgery experts in the Medienhafen in Düsseldorf rely on individually adapted silicone implants from the manufacturer Sebbin for funnel chest correction. The main advantage of this procedure is that the rib cage itself remains untouched. The Sebbin implant merely compensates for the deformation of the chest.

A silicone implant-based surgical procedure is only suitable for patients who do not have any physical discomforts caused by a funnel chest. The implant is manufactured specifically for each patient. A special three-dimensional measuring method is used for this purpose. A computer tomogram of the rib cage enables the implant to be adapted to the individual anatomy of the patient with millimetre precision.

3. What is the exact procedure of a funnel chest correction?

A surgical procedure to correct a funnel chest is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts approximately one hour. The implant pocket is prepared to fit the size of the implant through a vertical, central incision about 7 centimeters in front of the breastbone. The pectoral muscles in the central area are detached and the implant is inserted deep under the pectoral muscle and under the onset of the abdominal muscles. Once in place, the implant will be absolutely immovable and secure. After insertion, the muscles are sutured again and the skin is closed with an intracutaneous suture and absorbable thread.

The hospital stay following the operation is between one and two days.

After the funnel chest correction

  • Minimal postoperative pain 
  • Absorbable sutures
  • No need for drainage
  • Wearing a support vest for 6 weeks
  • Downtime: 2 weeks
  • Restriction from sports: 3 months

4. What scars remain after a funnel chest correction?

Our scar-saving procedure, which we use for funnel chest correction, avoids unnecessary incisions and visible scars. To insert the Sebbin implant, we only need a short skin incision of about 7 cm in length. This small incision also runs along the deepest point of the sunken chest and is unnoticeable after the scar has matured undisturbed.

Further FAQ

What risks do I have to expect when having a funnel chest correction?

Funnel chest correction with an implant involves fewer risks compared to conventional funnel chest corrections. Since the bony structure of the rib cage is not altered during the procedure, there is much less stress on our patients.

Nevertheless, even a low-risk surgical procedure such as this does not mean there are no risks at all. General surgical and anaesthetic risks can be found in any operation.

Possible complications that can occur are infections, bruising, or disturbances in the wound healing process, for example.

It is highly unlikely that the implant will rupture. For our funnel chest correction we only use medical implants made of high-quality silicone rubber that are registered with the US Food & Drugs Administration (FDA). In addition, there is no risk of breakage, which can occur with silicone gel. The implant is also designed for a lifetime of use.

After the procedure, temporary sensitivity disorders may occur in the treated areas. However, symptoms usually disappear by themselves within a few months.

Can a funnel chest return to its original shape even after a correction?

There is no way the chest can deform again after the insertion of an implant and funnel chest correction. This is because the procedure does not involve any alterations to the rib cage itself, but rather permanently corrects the deformation by inserting the implant.

What do I have to pay attention to after a funnel chest correction?

After the operation, you will remain in our partner clinic for one night of observation. After your discharge, we strongly advise you to take it easy on your body for the following weeks and avoid any strain on the upper body. Additionally, in the first six weeks after the procedure, you must wear a specially developed compression bandage to support the treatment result, which can easily be hidden under your shirt.

If you do sports, you should be prepared to take a three month break. After that you can resume all sports activities without any restrictions.

What are the costs for a funnel chest correction with a silicone implant?

Even though this question is justified and important, we cannot quote any binding prices here as the prices for our funnel chest correction with a silicone implant are uniquely individual and based on the effort involved. However, we can give you a rough value of about € 7,000. This value includes the specifically made-to-measure implant in addition to the stay at the clinic and the doctor's fee.

In order to be able to discuss your individual price personally and confidentially, we would like to invite you to contact us for a non-binding consultation. We will be happy to explain all further details and answer any questions you may have during this conversation.

Deutsche Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen IPRAS European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Deutsche Gesellschaft für Senologie Interplast Germany Deutsche Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen Qualitätssiegel
Imprint Data protection Cookie Settings
© Copyright 2020-2024