Is There A Barrel Chest Reshaping Procedure?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’d like to address a pronounced “barrel chest” contour in my upper torso. My main goal is to create a more feminine, proportional appearance that will look natural once I begin hormone replacement therapy and breast development. Specifically, I’m hoping to reduce the forward protrusion of my ribcage so that my chest appears flatter and more contoured. This change would be an important step in my transition and would significantly improve my confidence and comfort in my body.

A: As you know there is not an established procedure for reshaping the barrel chest. It is certainly a ribcage problem that I have not yet treated. I have thought about it before but weas never certain what would be the correct approach. The article to which you have linked is the approach I would think would be effective (side rib length reduction with stabilization) but besides a lateral approach it is very unclear what they were doing exactly. They do not describe any rib length shortening and only discuss placing steel bars for modification…which I don’t see how that would work. And I also don’t see any details about the procedure or the patient’s upright postop photos which makes me suspicious.

That be said the lateral approach with rib shortening of #3 – #8 with plate fixation would seem the logical approach…..but like I said previously it is not a procedure that I have yet done so I can not vouch for how effective it would be.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon