This article provides information about the non-surgical treatment method for Pectus Carinatum, what it is, and which age groups it can be applied to. Based on this information, you can find detailed information about the vacuum system for Pectus Carinatum, how it is applied, treatment results, side effects, and patient satisfaction outcomes.
Pectus Carinatum Non-Surgical Treatment: Vacuum System
What is the Vacuum System for Pectus Carinatum?
- It is a method of correcting the concave chest wall by applying vacuum to the front wall of the chest without surgery.
- This method has been developed as an alternative to surgical methods for Pectus Carinatum or pectus excavatum, a congenital deformity.
How is Vacuum Applied in Pectus Carinatum Disease?
- The vacuum should be applied at least twice a day for 30 minutes. However, some patients use it for longer periods, including while working or sleeping at night.
- The initial applications should be done under the supervision of a physician. Afterward, patients can perform the procedure on their own.
- For children under 10 years old, it should be applied under the supervision of an adult.
What Age Group Can Receive Pectus Vacuum Therapy?
- The therapy has been applied to patients aged 6-52 with successful results.
How Long Should Pectus Vacuum Be Used?
Significant improvement is observed by the third month. It is recommended that the therapy be applied for 12-15 months.
What are the Results of Pectus Excavatum Treatment?
What do Patients Using Vacuum Say?
- The concavity significantly improves after 3 months.
- All patients showed significant improvement in deformities after using the vacuum.
- In 88% of patients, treatment was successful without surgery (Results by Prof. Haecker from Basel University Medical Faculty).
The following images show before and after treatment results.
How to Start Vacuum Treatment?
- After examination, it is decided that the deformity can be corrected with a vacuum.
- The patient’s heart and lung examinations are performed.
- The depth of the depression is measured, and a vacuum device is ordered accordingly.
- The patient is taught how to use the device.
- Afterward, the patient uses the device at home or at work.
- For young children, parents assist with the application.
There is no need for hospitalization at any stage of the process.
What Are the Side Effects of Vacuum Therapy?
The most noticeable side effect is redness in the area where the vacuum is applied, which disappears within a few minutes.
Note: The information and images in this article are taken from the article titled “For treatment of pectus excavatum: an alternative to surgical correction“, published in the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery by Frank-Martin Haecker and Johannes Mayr in 2006 at the University Children’s Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
Does Pectus Carinatum Relapse After Using Vacuum?
Relapse may occur up to 14% after open (Ravitch technique) or closed (Nuss technique) surgeries.
Similarly, after the use of the vacuum system, relapse can occur if the treatment is stopped, although rarely.
In patients with relapse after surgery, a second operation is performed.
If relapse occurs after using the vacuum, the patient can correct it by using the device they already own without the need for surgery.
How is NUSS Surgery Performed for Pectus Carinatum?
- For patients who prefer surgery instead of the vacuum system, NUSS surgery is applied.
- A titanium bar is placed under the breastbone to correct the deformity. After 2 years, this bar is removed through a repeat surgery. Postoperative activities are restricted due to pain.
- More information about this procedure is available on web pages.
We recommend the Vacuum Method, not surgery, for the patients who apply to us first. According to literature data, permanent improvement was observed in 79% of patients using the vacuum system by the third month (see the literature provided above).
Is the Vacuum Bell System Applied in Turkey?
Yes, we have also started applying this system in our country.
What Are the Satisfaction Results of Patients Using Vacuum?
Currently, we have more than 100 patients who have applied or are continuing to apply this treatment.
Some initial images of patients who started treatment with the Vacuum Bell are below.
Where is the Vacuum Device Manufactured?
This medical device is manufactured only in Germany.
How Can I Obtain This Product?
This product can only be used if a doctor finds it suitable for treatment and provides the measurements. We do not recommend patients to use any medical product without a doctor’s recommendation. When it is decided that the Vacuum Bell system is suitable for you, the product will be delivered to you through the representative company in our country. This medical device cannot be given to you without your request.
Does Vacuum Bell Provide Permanent Improvement?
Yes, significant improvement is observed after 3 months and permanent healing is achieved by the end of 1 year in most patients.
What Ages Can Use Vacuum Bell?
It can be used for ages 6-52.
In Which Patients Are Results Less Successful?
In patients who have performed “body” exercises focused on the chest for a long time, the cartilage hardens, and the chest muscles become very prominent, so achieving permanent results takes longer.
What Is the Cost of Vacuum Bell?
The price of the Vacuum Bell as reported by the representative in Turkey is 3,500 TL. Once the patient owns the vacuum system, they can perform the application themselves as we have taught them. No additional fee is required.
Note: We receive many calls and emails from you, our valued patients and their relatives. Our patients often ask whether this system is suitable for them, whether it works, its price, and whether the improvement will be permanent. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to respond to all of these calls and emails during my working hours, but I have tried to provide answers to all of these questions above.
I have tried to create a communication environment between our patients and other patients who want to learn about this system through the blog we have prepared. Please click here to access this blog.
Thank you for your understanding and wishing you healthy days.
