Vacuum bell device for people with pectus excavatum

Recommendations for NHSScotland

The vacuum bell device should be available as a non-surgical treatment option for selected people who have a pectus excavatum that is negatively affecting their physical and/or psychological wellbeing.

Multidisciplinary team decision making on the use of the vacuum bell device should take into account factors that may be associated with successful treatment outcomes: a younger age at treatment onset, a flexible chest wall, a smaller pre-treatment chest wall depth, patient motivation and acceptance of the treatment, and support from patients' caregivers.

There should be ongoing data collection on the effectiveness and safety of the vacuum bell device for people with pectus excavatum, to help inform optimal treatment protocols.

NHSScotland is required to consider the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations.

Referred by

Scottish National Chest Wall Service