OBJECTIVE Pectus deformities are conditions characterized by abnormal development of the ribs, cartilage, and sternum that form the chest wall. The most common types, pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC), can lead to functional, orthopedic, and psychological problems. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment methods for these deformities in a pediatric population. Material and Methods This retrospective study included 112 patients diagnosed with PE, PC, or mixed-type deformities between June 2021 and February 2025. Patients were treated with vacuum bell therapy or compressive bracing depending on the deformity type. Treatment adherence, deformity depth/height, and subjective cosmetic improvement were assessed. Clinical outcomes were compared by evaluating pre- and post-treatment measurements in relation to treatment compliance. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 11.6 years (range: 6-18). Among PE patients, the mean sternal depth decreased from 2.50.7 cm to 1.40.6 cm in patients with good adherence (p<0.01). In PC patients, deformity height reduced from 1.90.5 cm to 1.30.4 cm with consistent bracing (p=0.032). None of the patients required surgery. Adherence and early treatment initiation were associated with better outcomes. CONCLUSION Non-surgical treatments, including vacuum bell therapy and compression bracing, showed improvement in deformity measurements in pediatric patients with PE and PC who demonstrated good treatment adherence. These findings support the effectiveness of these methods, but further studies are needed to confirm long-term outcomes.
