The hidden mechanism of vacuum bell therapy: Local fat hypertrophy drives cosmetic outcome in adolescents with pectus excavatum.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Vacuum bell (VB) therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for pectus excavatum (PE), traditionally considered most effective in children under 12 due to greater skeletal remodeling potential. However, the extent and mechanisms of cosmetic improvement in older adolescents remain poorly understood.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 19 male patients (median age 14.8 years) who underwent VB therapy for at least 1 year. Real-time MRI was performed before and after therapy to assess morphological changes. Key parameters included the Haller Index (HI), Correction Index (CI), and pectus excavation depth (PED). Additionally subcutaneous soft tissue thickness was measured at the deformity site and at the lateral thoracic wall.

Results

After a median treatment durati

SUBMITTER: Feng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12803859 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature