1-Year-Old Infant Pectus Excavatum Case: Before and After Vacuum Bell Treatment

Case Background

Pectus Excavatum is the most common congenital chest wall deformity and is characterized by a sunken sternum.

Some children show visible chest depression during infancy, while others become more noticeable as they grow.

This case presents the chest wall appearance of a 1-year-old child before treatment and after 1 year and 7 months of Vacuum Bell management.

Initial Evaluation

Age

1 year old

Initial Assessment

May 2024

Main Findings

• Visible sternal depression

• Uneven anterior chest wall contour

• Funnel-shaped chest appearance

• Chest deformity noticed during infancy

Treatment Method

Treatment

Vacuum Bell Therapy

Approach

Non-surgical chest wall management

Goals

• Improve chest wall appearance

• Reduce visible depression

• Monitor chest wall development

• Support long-term chest wall management

Before Treatment

Clinical Observation

A noticeable depression of the sternum was visible, creating a characteristic funnel-shaped appearance of the chest.

After 1 Year and 7 Months

Clinical Observation

Compared with the initial presentation:

• Reduced sternal depression

• Improved chest contour

• More natural chest appearance

• Better chest wall symmetry

Before & After Comparison

Before

May 2024

Key Findings

• Pronounced chest depression

• Sunken central chest wall

• Uneven chest contour

After

Key Findings

• Improvement in depressed area

• Flatter chest wall contour

• More balanced chest appearance

Clinical Outcome Summary

Based on visual comparison:

Sternum Position

Improved compared with baseline.

Chest Wall Contour

Smoother anterior chest wall appearance.

Symmetry

More balanced chest wall structure.

Overall Appearance

Closer to a natural chest wall shape.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

During infancy and early childhood, the chest wall remains highly flexible and continues to develop.

Early evaluation may help:

• Monitor chest wall growth

• Track progression of deformity

• Develop appropriate management plans

• Support long-term follow-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 1-year-old child have Pectus Excavatum?

Yes. Some cases become visible during infancy or early childhood.

Can Pectus Excavatum improve with growth?

Chest appearance may change during development, but progression can also occur. Regular monitoring is recommended.

Is Vacuum Bell therapy suitable for young children?

Suitability depends on age, chest wall flexibility, severity, and professional evaluation.

Does every child require treatment?

No. Treatment recommendations should be based on individual assessment.

Clinical Discussion

This case illustrates how chest wall appearance can be monitored during growth and development.

Because every patient has unique anatomy and growth patterns, individualized evaluation and long-term follow-up remain essential.

Important Notice

This case is provided for educational purposes only.

Individual results vary depending on age, chest wall flexibility, severity, growth patterns, and treatment adherence.

The outcome shown in this case does not guarantee similar results for other patients.

Interested in Learning Whether Vacuum Bell Therapy May Be Suitable for Your Child?

EMK  Yikang Medical provides:

✓ Professional Chest Wall Evaluation

✓ CT Imaging Analysis

✓ 3D Chest Wall Reconstruction

✓ Customized Vacuum Bell Design

✓ Long-Term Follow-Up Support

Contact our team today for a personalized assessment.