| Vacuum bell therapy | Nuss procedure | Ravitch (open repair) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable chest | Flexible; mild to moderate depression | Relatively flexible; marked depression | Rigid, asymmetric or mixed |
| Approach | Negative pressure from outside the chest | A bar behind the breastbone | Cartilage removed, bone repositioned |
| Incision | None | Small side incisions | An incision on the front of the chest |
| Anaesthesia and stay | None; used at home | General anaesthesia; usually a few days | General anaesthesia; a few days to a week |
| Length of treatment | Months, sometimes years of regular use | Bar stays a few years, then a short second procedure | One operation; a support bar if needed |
| Visible scar | None | Small scars on the sides | A scar on the front of the chest |
| Daily life | Mostly used at home, outside school hours | Heavy lifting and contact sport wait a few months | Desk work in a few weeks; contact sport after a few months |
The chest wall is more flexible in adolescence, so this period is often preferred for vacuum and Nuss. In young children for whom surgery is still early, vacuum may be the first option.
Adults can be treated too; as the chest stiffens, Nuss may need more than one bar or open repair comes to the fore.
The quote prepared and shared based on the medical information you provide is guaranteed: for every treatment it covers, the hospital charges no extra fees.
The treatment here is truly excellent. I feel myself getting better every day.
We were very pleased with the level of service, the attention and the care.