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Doruk Hospital
Home › Chest Wall Deformity Surgery › Pectus Excavatum Treatment

Pectus Excavatum Treatment

In a sunken chest, flexibility and depth decide the method: vacuum for a flexible chest, Nuss for marked depression, Ravitch for a rigid or asymmetric chest.

HIGHLIGHTS

What stands out in this treatment

Method Chosen by Measurement

Depth, symmetry and chest flexibility are measured; the method is chosen from these three findings.

A Non-surgical Start

For a flexible chest with mild to moderate depression, vacuum therapy is used at home without surgery.

Camera-guided Nuss

While the bar passes behind the breastbone, a thoracoscope keeps the heart and lungs in continuous view.

Transparent, Guaranteed Pricing

A written quote follows once method and stay are set; unless the plan changes, no surprise costs appear.

Insurance & agreements

Transparent payment with contracted institutions and private insurers, at home and abroad.

Accommodation & rooms

Companion-friendly modern patient rooms and in-city accommodation support.

International patient services

Visa, airport transfer and 24/7 multilingual medical interpreters.

Transparent, guaranteed price

A quote prepared from your medical information; no extra charge for the treatments it covers.
OVERVIEW

Who it's for

Who is it for?
Children, teens and adults with a sunken breastbone
Those reporting breathlessness or early fatigue on exertion
Families looking for a non-surgical option for their child
Those whose daily life is affected by the shape of the chest
Those whose depression returned after an earlier repair
TREATMENTS

Treatment options

Which method suits whom
Three findings decide the method: how flexible the chest is, how deep the depression is and how symmetric. The decision is made with you after examination, CT measurements and, if needed, heart and lung tests.
Flexible chest, mild to moderate depression
The non-surgical option first.

Vacuum bell therapy

A silicone cup on the chest gently pulls the breastbone forward with negative pressure from a hand pump. It is used at home every day on a programme set by the surgeon; if the response is not enough, surgical options are reviewed.

Marked depression, flexible chest
Minimally invasive repair.

Nuss procedure

Through small side incisions, a bar bent to the patient is passed behind the breastbone while a thoracoscope keeps the heart and lungs in view. The bar is usually removed after 2–3 years in a short procedure.

Rigid, asymmetric or mixed chest
Open repair.

Ravitch (open repair)

Through an incision on the front of the chest, deformed rib cartilages are removed with their linings preserved and the breastbone is repositioned, with a support bar if needed. It is preferred for rigid, asymmetric and mixed deformity and for recurrence after earlier repair.

Vacuum, Nuss and Ravitch side by side
All three aim to lift the sunken breastbone. They differ by how flexible the chest is and by the type of depression.
CriterionVacuum bell therapyNuss procedureRavitch (open repair)
Suitable chestVacuum bell therapyFlexible; mild to moderate depressionNuss procedureRelatively flexible; marked depressionRavitch (open repair)Rigid, asymmetric or mixed
ApproachVacuum bell therapyNegative pressure from outside the chestNuss procedureA bar behind the breastboneRavitch (open repair)Cartilage removed, bone repositioned
IncisionVacuum bell therapyNoneNuss procedureSmall side incisionsRavitch (open repair)An incision on the front of the chest
Anaesthesia and stayVacuum bell therapyNone; used at homeNuss procedureGeneral anaesthesia; usually a few daysRavitch (open repair)General anaesthesia; a few days to a week
Length of treatmentVacuum bell therapyMonths, sometimes years of regular useNuss procedureBar stays a few years, then a short second procedureRavitch (open repair)One operation; a support bar if needed
Visible scarVacuum bell therapyNoneNuss procedureSmall scars on the sidesRavitch (open repair)A scar on the front of the chest
Daily lifeVacuum bell therapyMostly used at home, outside school hoursNuss procedureHeavy lifting and contact sport wait a few monthsRavitch (open repair)Desk work in a few weeks; contact sport after a few months
When to treat

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.

TREATMENT TIMELINE

From day one to discharge

The timeline below is an average and varies by patient, diagnosis and clinical status. Exact timing and all included services are detailed in your personalized treatment offer.
Application
Sharing photos, tests and symptoms; remote preliminary review
Measurement
Examination, CT and, if needed, echocardiography and breathing tests
Choosing the Method
The choice of vacuum, Nuss or Ravitch is made with you
Treatment
Vacuum training and home programme, or surgery with planned pain control
Follow-up
Regular check-ups; if a bar was used, its removal after 2–3 years
Every treatment offer is presented in full detail — accommodation, transfer, interpreter and follow-up included — clearly stating what is covered.
HOW IT WORKS

A completely carefree treatment journey

1
Online application
Fill the form or message us on WhatsApp; share your file in seconds.
2
Free evaluation
Our specialists review your file and reply within 24 hours.
3
Personalized plan
Treatment steps, timeline and transparent cost are clarified.
4
Welcome & treatment
Airport pickup, accommodation and treatment — coordinated end to end.
BY THE NUMBERS

Our center in numbers

3
methods: vacuum, Nuss, Ravitch
Haller
index measures the depression
50+
countries of patients served
7/24
medical interpreter support
TECHNOLOGY

Our diagnostic and treatment technologies

Technology

Da Vinci Robot

TrueBeam LINAC

Biplane Angio

Advanced Imaging

WHY DORUK

What sets us apart here

Decisions rest on measurement
Depth and symmetry are measured on CT or MRI; values such as the Haller index feed into the choice of method.
Non-surgical options first
For a flexible chest, bracing or vacuum is considered first; the timing of surgery is planned with the family around growth.
Heart and lung impact is screened
When needed, echocardiography, ECG and lung function tests assess the effect of the deformity.
Pain control is planned in advance
Epidural, nerve block and patient-controlled analgesia options are planned with you before surgery.
International patient team
From preliminary review to discharge, transfer, accommodation and a medical interpreter come from one team.
INFO & BLOG

About diagnosis, treatment and recovery

What is pectus excavatum?
How is the right method chosen for me?
Is treatment without surgery possible?
Does pectus excavatum affect the heart and lungs?
What is the best age for treatment?
What is the difference between Nuss and Ravitch?
PRICING

Transparent treatment pricing

Pectus excavatum evaluation & second opinion
Review of photos and existing tests by the thoracic surgery team; a personalized, guaranteed quote
Free
Nuss procedure (bar included)
$9,500 – $12,500
Ravitch procedure (open repair)
$7,000 – $9,500
Vacuum bell device + training + follow-up
Request a quote
Indicative price range, given before we have seen you. After medical communication and consultation you receive a net, payment-guaranteed price in writing: unless a medical obstacle arises, only the quoted amount is charged when the procedures are performed, and it covers the procedures listed as included in the quote. Our priority is to do what is medically right; our financial promise is to deliver the promised service at the promised price.
PRICE GUARANTEE

Our quote is a binding commitment

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.

Written, binding quote
Your quote is prepared from your medical information and shared in writing.
No surprise charges
For the treatments the quote covers, the hospital requests no extra charge.
All covered treatments included
Every planned treatment is included in the guaranteed price.
PATIENT STORIES

Recovery journeys in their own words

Patient stories
All patient stories
PATIENT VOICES

What our patients say

The treatment here is truly excellent. I feel myself getting better every day.

Vilma
Netherlands · Rehabilitation

We were very pleased with the level of service, the attention and the care.

Nurles
Kyrgyzstan · Check-up
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the consultation paid?
How do I apply from abroad?
Visa and transfer support?
How is post-care follow-up?

Free evaluation for Pectus Excavatum Treatment

Our international team replies within 24 hours. Visa, transfer and accommodation included.

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