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Pediatric Surgery International

Published in:

01-10-2020 | Original Article

Noninvasive treatment of pectus excavatum with a vacuum bell combined with a three-dimensional scanner

Authors: Yue Gao, Jan-hua Li, Jan-gen Yu, Zheng Tan, Liang Liang, Ting Huang, Xu Han, Zhuo Shi, Qiang Shu

Published in: Pediatric Surgery International | Issue 10/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a vacuum bell (VB) combined with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner for the noninvasive treatment of pectus excavatum (PE).

Methods

A VB was used to create a vacuum at the anterior chest wall with a patient-activated hand pump, and it should be applied regularly for more than 2 h each day at home. Eighty-two patients required to be followed up every three months were included in this retrospective study and distributed into four stages (stage 1: treated for 3 months, stage 2: treated for 6 months, stage 3: treated for 9 months, and stage 4: treated for 12 months). In addition, the deformity in the chest wall was scanned by a 3D scanner at the clinic, and the 3D depth (3D-DE) and 3D Haller index (3D-HI) of PE were calculated through Geomagic studio 2013 software.

Results

Eighty-two patients (12/2017–12/2019) met the criteria at the clinic, and 24 patients (29.3%) achieved excellent correction (3D-DE ≤ 3 mm). When comparing the improvement in 3D-DE and 3D-HI of PE to the patient's treatment time, a statistically significant difference was observed between stages 2 and 1 (3D-DE p < 0.01, 3D-HI p < 0.01), stages 3 and 2 (3D-DE p < 0.01, 3D-HI p < 0.01) and stages 4 and 3 (3D-DE p < 0.01, 3D-HI p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in sternum elevation between patients aged < 10 years and those aged ≥ 10 years (3D-DE p = 0.006, 3D-HI p = 0.045) and patients with symmetrical and asymmetric PE (3D-DE p = 0.042, 3D-HI p = 0.032). However, there was no statistically significant difference in sternal elevation between males and females (3D-DE p = 0.27, 3D-HI p = 0.495). The main side effects were moderate subcutaneous hematoma, petechial bleeding, thoracalgia and chest tightness.

Conclusions

With controllable side effects, noninvasive treatment for PE with a VB combined with a 3D scanner is safe, objective and radiation free, and the initial results to date are encouraging. Patients aged < 10 years, with symmetrical PE and treated for over 12 months may achieve a better outcome.

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Title: Noninvasive treatment of pectus excavatum with a vacuum bell combined with a three-dimensional scanner
Authors: Yue Gao
Jan-hua Li
Jan-gen Yu
Zheng Tan
Liang Liang
Ting Huang
Xu Han
Zhuo Shi
Qiang Shu
Publication date: 01-10-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Pediatric Surgery International / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0179-0358
Electronic ISSN: 1437-9813
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04726-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Noninvasive treatment of pectus excavatum with a vacuum bell combined with a three-dimensional scanner

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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