Treatment of congenital thoracic scoliosis with associated rib fusions using VEPTR expansion thoracostomy: a surgical technique.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Untreated growing patients with congenital scoliosis and fused ribs will develop finally thoracic insufficiency syndrome. The technique of expansion thoracoplasty with implantation of a vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) was introduced initially to treat these children.

METHODS:

This article attempts to provide an overview of the surgical technique of opening-wedge thoracostomy and VEPTR instrumentation in children with congenital thoracic scoliosis and fused ribs.

RESULTS:

Our modification of the surgical approach using a posterior midline incision rather than the modified thoracotomy incision initially described could potentially help to diminish wound dehiscence and secondary infection, while preserving a more acceptable esthetic appearance of the back.

CONCLUSIONS:

Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib-based treatments should be undertaken only with a good knowledge of its numerous specific complications. Every aspect of the treatment should be oriented to minimize these complications. At the same time it should be kept in mind that the ultimate step of this long-term fusionless treatment strategy will be a technically demanding spine fusion.

• Authors: Romain Dayer, Dimitri Ceroni, Pierre Lascombes
• Journal: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (Eur Spine J) Vol. 23 Suppl 4 Pg. S424-31 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1432-0932 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 24823848 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Titanium

Topics

• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Musculoskeletal Abnormalities (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Prostheses and Implants
• Radiography
• Ribs (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Scoliosis (congenital, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Thoracic Vertebrae (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Thoracic Wall (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Thoracoplasty (adverse effects, methods)
• Thoracostomy (adverse effects, methods)
• Titanium