Failed preoperative vacuum bell therapy does not affect outcomes following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum
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In brief
In brief
Retrospective analysis of 127 patients undergoing minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum found that failed preoperative vacuum bell therapy (median 17 months) did not negatively impact surgical outcomes, hospital stay, complications, or long-term patient satisfaction. Nearly half of vacuum bell patients experienced skin irritation or hematoma during treatment.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
It is unknown if failed preoperative vacuum bell (VB) treatment in patients undergoing minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE), delays repair and/or affects postoperative outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective data analysis including all consecutive patients treated at one single institution undergoing MIRPE was performed between 2000 and 2016. Patients were stratified into preoperative VB therapy versus no previous VB therapy.
Results
In total, 127 patients were included. Twenty-seven (21.3%) patients had preoperative VB treatment for 17 months (median, IQR 8–34). All 27 patients stopped VB treatment due to the lack of treatment effect. Eight (47.1%) of 17 assessed VB patients showed signs of skin irritation or hematoma. VB treatment had no effect on length of hospital stay (p = 0.385), postoperative complications (p = 1.0), bar dislocations (p = 1.0), and duration of bar treatment (p = 0.174). Time spent in intensive care unit was shorter in patients with VB therapy (p = 0.007). Long-term perception of treatment including rating of primary operation (p = 0.113), pain during primary operation (p = 0.838), own perspective of look of chest (p = 0.545), satisfaction with the procedure (p = 0.409), and intention of doing surgery again (p = 1.0) were not different between groups.
Conclusions
Failed preoperative VB therapy had no or minimal effect on short-term outcomes and long-term perceptions following MIRPE.