Australia’s Only Specialist Centre for Klobe Vacuum Bell Therapy
Understanding Pectus Excavatum: Evidence-Based Care
Pectus Excavatum (sunken chest) is the most common congenital chest wall deformity, occurring in approximately 1 in 400 births. While often viewed as a purely cosmetic issue, clinical research shows it can lead to decreased cardiopulmonary function, physical discomfort, and significant psychological distress during adolescence.
At the Pectus Centre, we advocate for Early Non-Surgical Intervention. Using the Eckart Klobe Vacuum Bell, we provide a proactive alternative to the traditional "Watch and Wait" approach.
The Timing Gap: Why Surgeons Wait
A common experience for parents of younger children (ages 8–12) is being told by a thoracic surgeon that it is "too early" for the Nuss Procedure.
The Clinical Reason:
Leading surgical guidelines, including those by Nuss and Kelly (2014) and Pilegaard (2015), recommend that the Nuss Procedure be delayed until the adolescent growth spurt (typically ages 15–16).
- Risk of Recurrence: Operating on a child whose chest wall is still significantly growing increases the risk of the deformity returning.
- Thoracic Dystrophy: Very early surgery (pre-puberty) can occasionally interfere with chest wall growth, leading to restricted lung capacity.
The "Watch and Wait" Problem
For many families, "waiting" for the growth spurt means watching the deformity worsen during a time when a child's self-esteem is most vulnerable. This is where Vacuum Bell therapy changes the roadmap.
The Vacuum Bell: A Proactive First-Line Treatment
Rather than waiting for the deformity to become rigid or severe enough for surgery, the Vacuum Bell allows for immediate intervention.
1. The "Bridge" to Correction
A landmark study by Haecker and Sesia (2016) published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery identifies the Vacuum Bell as a "valuable first-line treatment". They found that:
- In many patients, the Vacuum Bell completely corrects the deformity, removing the need for surgery entirely.
- In more severe cases, using the Vacuum Bell during the "waiting years" improves chest wall flexibility. This makes a future Nuss Procedure safer and more effective because the sternum is already accustomed to being lifted.
2. High Success Rates in Adolescents
Research from the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD)—the birthplace of the Nuss Procedure—confirms the effectiveness of this approach. Obermeyer et al. (2018) found that:
- 80% of patients showed significant improvement in their pectus depth after consistent Vacuum Bell use.
- The therapy is most effective when started before the chest wall hardens at the end of puberty, making the ages of 10–14 the "golden window" for non-surgical success.
Supported by Clinical Evidence
Our protocols are built on three decades of peer-reviewed research:
- Evidence on Safety: Haecker (2011) demonstrated in a study of 133 patients that the Klobe Vacuum Bell is a safe and well-tolerated therapy with no serious adverse effects when used under clinical supervision.
- Evidence on Depth Reduction: Luo et al. (2021) confirmed via CT imaging that vacuum therapy significantly reduces the Haller Index (the mathematical measure of pectus severity).
- Evidence on Psychological Impact: Research consistently shows that early correction of the "sunken appearance" significantly improves the quality of life and body image of adolescent males (Steinmann et al., 2011).
Why Choose the Klobe Vacuum Bell at Pectus Centre?
Not all vacuum devices are created equal. The Eckart Klobe device used at our centre is the original, medically-certified device featured in the Haecker studies.
Our Evidence-Based Protocol includes:
- 3D Mapping: We use the latest scanning technology to objectively measure the sternal lift, mirroring the measurement standards used in clinical trials.
- Personalised Wear Schedules: Based on the flexibility of your child's cartilage, we create a ramp-up plan to ensure comfort and compliance.
- Clinical Oversight: We provide the professional monitoring recommended by Dr. Haecker to ensure the device is being used safely and effectively.
Don’t Just "Watch and Wait"
If your child has been told they are too young for surgery, now is the ideal time to start Vacuum Bell therapy. By acting while the chest wall is flexible, you may avoid the need for the operating theatre entirely.
Pectus Excavatum 3D Scanning Assessments
