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Pectus excavatum or "funnel chest" is a depression of the lower chest that develops in early childhood and often gets deeper with growth of the child. It compresses the lungs, displaces the heart to the left, and can result in fatigue with excercise and shortness of breath. Many youngsters are also embarrassed by the deep depression in the chest and will not take off their shirts in public. Dr. Liebert is one of a small number of pediatric surgeons who are experienced in performing the new minimally-invasive technique for repair of this chest deformity. This procedure uses a custom-formed special bar to elevate the breast-bone; unlike the old procedure, it does not involve a large incision, removing ribs, or cutting bone. The results have been very gratifying to children and their parents.