Australia’s Only Specialist Centre for Klobe Vacuum Bell Therapy
Evidence-Based Vacuum Bell Treatment
What is Evidence-Based Practice?
Evidence-Based Practice is the "gold standard" of modern medicine. It ensures that the care you receive is safe, effective, and scientifically sound. It is built on three essential pillars:
- Best Research Evidence: We only use the Klobe vacuum bell which has been validated in peer-reviewed medical journals and clinical trials (such as the longitudinal studies by Prof. Dr. Haecker).
- Clinical Expertise: Our Certified Orthotist is a university-trained allied health professional who consults with Eckart Klobe to discuss treatment options/vacuum bell sizing.
- Patient Values: We integrate the research with your individual lifestyle, goals, and comfort to ensure the treatment plan is suitable for you.
Vacuum Bell Therapy: The Research
The reason we exclusively use the Klobe Vacuum Bell is that it is the most researched vacuum bell with evidence to support its use as an effective conservative treatment for pectus excavatum.
- The Haecker Studies (2005–2024): Our protocols mirror the "Basel Experience," where over 400 patients were monitored over 20 years. This research proved that the device is safe and effective when used under clinical supervision.
- The Obermeyer Data (2018): Research from major paediatric hospitals confirms that 80% of patients see significant results. We use these studies to set realistic expectations for your correction journey.
Additional Publications: Conservative Treatment of Pectus Excavatum with Vacuum Bell Therapy (VBT)
1. Haecker F-M, Mayr J. The vacuum bell for treatment of pectus excavatum: an alternative to surgical correction? European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery. 2006;29(4):557-61.
2. Haecker F-M, Sesia S. Non-surgical treatment of pectus excavatum. Journal of visualized surgery. 2016;2:63.
3. Haecker F-M, Sesia S. Vacuum bell therapy. Annals of cardiothoracic surgery. 2016;5(5):440.
4. Lei W, Shao M, Hu Y, Cao J, Han W, Wang R, et al. Vacuum bell therapy for pectus excavatum: a retrospective study. BMC pediatrics. 2024;24(1):173.
5. Jung Y, Yi E, Lee K, Chung JH, Cho S, Lee S. Surgical versus vacuum bell therapy for the correction of pectus excavatum: a comparison of 1-year treatment outcomes. Journal of Chest Surgery. 2021;54(6):473.
6. Prada Arias M, Gómez Veiras J, Rodríguez Iglesias P, Aneiros Castro B, Fernández Eire P, Montero Sánchez M. Treatment of pectus excavatum with vacuum bell during puberty. Cirugía Pediátrica (English Edition). 2023;36(3).
7. Scalise PN, Demehri FR. The management of pectus excavatum in pediatric patients: a narrative review. Translational pediatrics. 2023;12(2):208.
8. Haecker F-M. 20 years clinical application of the vacuum bell for conservative treatment of pectus excavatum—past, present, future. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2024;16(8):5285.
9. Zhou L, Deng F, Tian Y, Lin J, Yang G, Li Y, et al. Questionnaire-based subjective evaluation and analysis of factors influencing the effectiveness of treatment with the vacuum bell in children with pectus excavatum: A cross-sectional observational study. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2024;12:1467215.
10. Loufopoulos I, Karagiannidis IG, Lampridis S, Mitsos S, Panagiotopoulos N. Vacuum bell: is it a useful innovative device for pectus excavatum correction? Turkish Thoracic Journal. 2021;22(3):251.
11. Patel AJ, Hunt I. Is vacuum bell therapy effective in the correction of pectus excavatum? Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery. 2019;29(2):287-90.
12. Alaca N, Alaca I, Yüksel M. Physiotherapy in addition to vacuum bell therapy in patients with pectus excavatum. Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery. 2020;31(5):650-6.
13. Belgacem A, Tricard J, Dutoit A, Grosos C, Auditeau E, Masselin MC, et al. Efficiency of non-operative management for pectus deformities in children using an X-ray-free protocol. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery. 2023;36(6):ivad093.
14. Aughtman S, Hehman C, Janssen L, Golden J, Goretsky MJ, Obermeyer RJ. Vacuum Bell Therapy for Pectus Excavatum: Long-term Experience at a Single Center. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2025;60(3):162020.
15. Luo D, Cheng K, Yuan M, Xu C, He T. Efficacy and determinants of vacuum bell treatment in preschool children with pectus excavatum. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2022;10:1008437.
16. Nuss D, Obermeyer RJ, Kelly Jr RE. Pectus excavatum from a pediatric surgeon’s perspective. Annals of cardiothoracic surgery. 2016;5(5):493.
17. Haecker F-M, Krebs TF, Kleitsch K-U. Old habits and new trends for effective treatment of chest wall deformities. Innovations.6:09-2024.
18. van Braak H, de Beer SA, Al Ghouch Y, Zwaveling S, Oomen MW, van Heurn LE, et al. 15 years of vacuum bell therapy for pectus excavatum: long-term outcomes and influencing factors. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2025;60(2):161891.