If the patient is young and the chest wall still retains some elasticity, or there is a possibility of secondary development, then it might be worth trying a pectus excavatum suction cup. If during the development of the chest wall, the patient's family can actively encourage or supervise the use of the suction cup for over two hours a day, continuing for six months, preferably up to about two years, the suction cup can be somewhat effective. However, if the patient's chest wall is hard and lacks elasticity, or if there is little possibility of further development, then the suction cup might not be suitable for such patients. For patients whose chest wall has fully developed, the best or most definitive treatment for pectus excavatum is surgery. Therefore, while the pectus excavatum suction cup can be useful for some patients, it is not suitable for all patients.