2010 Study
The vacuum bell may allow some patients with PE to avoid surgery. Especially patients with symmetric and mild PE may benefit from this procedure. The application is easy, with a good acceptance by both pediatric and adult patients. Computed tomographic scans showed that the device lifted the sternum and ribs immediately. In addition, this was confirmed thoracoscopically during the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) procedure. After 18 months in average, the sternum was lifted to a normal level in 9 patients. Relevant side effects were not noted.
However, the time of follow-up was only 5 years, and further follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapeutic tool. Additionally, the intraoperative use of the vacuum bell during the MIRPE may facilitate the introduction of the pectus bar. In any case, the method seems to be a valuable adjunct therapy in the treatment.
The vacuum bell has proved to be an alternative therapeutic option in selected patients with PE. The initial results proved to be dramatic, but long term results are so far lacking, and further evaluation and follow-up studies are necessary.
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