Surgical versus Vacuum Bell Therapy for the Correction of Pectus Excavatum: A Comparison of 1-Year Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare 1-year clinical outcomes between patients who underwent a Nuss operation or vacuum bell therapy and to present vacuum bell therapy as a possible alternative treatment modality for patients who prefer non-surgical correction of pectus excavatum.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of pectus excavatum patients who had undergone vacuum bell therapy for more than 1 year and examined patients who had undergone Nuss bar removal more than 1 year previously. The treatment outcomes were evaluated by comparing changes in the Haller index before and after treatment in both patient groups.

RESULTS

We included 57 patients in this study and divided them into 2 groups according to the type of treatment received. Both groups showed no significant difference in the post-treatment Haller index after 1 year of follow-up, although the Nuss operation group showed a greater change in the Haller index than the vacuum bell group.

CONCLUSION

Although the Nuss operation is a well-established and effective treatment of choice to correct pectus excavatum, vacuum bell therapy showed comparable outcomes and could become an alternative treatment modality for select patients who prefer non-invasive treatment.