What is a Vacuum Bell?

Among the treatments available for Pectus Excavatum, the Vacuum Bell is quite famous. 

Patients have been flocking to “Vacuum Bell Therapy” (or VBT), due to its uncanny ability to deliver quick, significant results without surgery. But before you go through Vacuum Bell therapy, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of this device and what you can get out of it.

What is a Vacuum Bell device?

vacuum bell on person

A vacuum bell device is a rubber cup-shaped device, connected to a simple pump. The vacuum bell is placed onto the chest, and the attached pump is used to create a vacuum. The suction of the vacuum pulls the chest and breastbone in a forward direction, and is kept in this position daily for 30 minutes to an hour. Some patients even sleep while using it! When you continue to do this, the breastbone and chest wall will permanently normalise and stick to the new shape. Most people start seeing permanent results as little as six months into therapy, with full remission in 2-3 years. There is no need to worry about anything when using Vacuum Bell’s to treat Pectus Excavatum. That’s because these devices are EN ISO 13485 certified medical devices. They can deliver a safe and effective treatment to you without subjecting you to any harmful side effects.  

What results can you expect from the Vacuum Bell therapy?

The results you can get out of vacuum bell therapy would vary based on a variety of factors. In fact, the results are dependent upon the severity of Pectus Excavatum and age. A vacuum bell is most effective in treating Pectus Excavatum among children and teenagers when compared to adults, due to the flexibility and lesser bone density of younger patients. However, it can still be a useful tool for adults, with results taking marginally longer to appear. Suppose you are an adult and cannot get any positive results out of vacuum bell therapy. In that case, you should think about going for a surgical treatment option, as outlined here. If you have a milder form of Pectus Excavatum or symmetric Pectus Excavatum, you can expect to receive positive results out of vacuum bell therapy. 


What are the benefits of Vacuum Bell therapy?

If you are a person who struggles with Pectus Excavatum or if one of your kids is struggling with this health condition, you should take a look at vacuum bell therapy as your first option. When comparing vacuum bells to other methods of treatment, the safety and price of vacuum bell therapy always comes out on top.

The most prominent benefit associated with vacuum bell therapy is that it is a non-surgical procedure. Hence, you will not have to go through any complicated process to receive positive results.

The time taken for you to go through the Pectus Excavatum treatment with a vacuum bell device is relatively low. Due to the same reason, you will have to spend lesser money on the treatment. There is no need to meet an expert surgeon and go for the treatment. In fact, you can get a Vacuum Bell for a fraction of the cost of surgery here.