Non-operative Treatment of Pectus Excavatum and Carinatum: A Retrospective Analysis

What is known on this subject?Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are the most common congenital chest wall deformities.Non-surgical treatments such as vacuum bell therapy and bracing have been increasingly used, especially in pediatric populations.These deformities can have significant cosmetic, psychosocial, and functional impacts. What this study adds?This study presents real-life clinical outcomes from a single center with a large patient series using non-surgical treatment methods.It demonstrates high success rates, particularly in patients who begin therapy early.The findings support the effectiveness and tolerability of vacuum and bracing methods as viable, non-invasive alternatives to surgery.Due to the retrospective nature of the study, no imaging was used other than routinely performed posteroanterior chest X-rays; the evaluation was conducted through physical examination and measurements.This approach helped avoid additional costs and unnecessary radiation exposure.It emphasizes the need for more extensive, local data from different populations to support treatment guidelines.