The Short-Term Result of Supportive Therapy With the Vacuum Bell for Pectus Excavatum

Abstract

Purpose: We performed conservative therapy with the Vacuum Bell for pectus excavatum. The present paper concerns the short-term clinical effect and safety, and describes the correlation of therapeutic period, patient's character and efficacy. Methods: The study population consisted of 13 patients (7 boys and 6 girls) 15 years of age or younger up to June 2009. The efficacy was assessed according to improvement of the hollow of the sternum. Results: The mean age at the beginning of therapy was 9.6±3.6 years old. The therapeutic and follow-up time was 14.1±8.6 and 15.7±9.9 months on average. The hollow of sternum was 18.3±6.5mm at the beginning, 11.9±6.2mm after 3 months and 13.0±6.6mm after 6 months. The deformity improved significantly by 3 months. But after that the tendency was not clear owing to loss of motivation and/or complication. The sternum of one patient sank again at 6 months after the end of therapy. Although it seems more effective in patients under 10 years old, the difficulties of handling and compliance resulted in no difference. There were no serious complications, expect for mild dermatitis and subcutaneous hematoma. Conclusion: 12 of 13 patients showed good results. The agreeable therapeutic period and the management of relapsed patients remain unclear. But, this therapy is not invasive and its safety enables treatment at home. It is an alternative method for treatment of pectus excavatum.