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Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR)

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Manual of Spine Surgery

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Abstract

The indications for use of a VEPTR (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib) device are complex spine and chest wall abnormalities in paediatric patients causing thoracic insufficiency syndrome and the inability of the thorax to support normal respiration or lung growth. It can also be used in early onset and isolated congenital scoliosis with and without spinal deformities. The purpose of the VEPTR system is thus to promote growth while inhibiting the development of scoliosis. The device is implanted in a position that is perpendicular to the ribs of the patient as an expanding link attached between cranial and caudal ribs or between a cranial rib and the lumbar spine or the ilium. Gradual expansion and anatomic distraction and the replacement of elements are possible by means of less invasive surgery following the initial implantation of a VEPTR device.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Spine Surgery, Trauma Center, Trostberg, Germany

    Cornelius Wimmer

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Cornelius Wimmer

  3. Department of Conservative and Surgical Spine Therapy with Interdisciplinary Spinal Deformities Centre and Rummelsberg Sectional Center, Hospital Rummelsberg, Schwarzenbruck, Germany

    Uwe Vieweg

Authors
  1. Cornelius Wimmer
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  2. Uwe Vieweg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uwe Vieweg .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical and Conservative Spine Therapy, Hospital Rummelsberg, Schwarzenbruck, Germany

    Uwe Vieweg

  2. Metropol Medical Center, Center for Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery and Traumatology, Nuremberg, Germany

    Frank Grochulla

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Wimmer, C., Vieweg, U. (2023). Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR). In: Vieweg, U., Grochulla, F. (eds) Manual of Spine Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64062-3_46

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64062-3_46

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-64060-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-64062-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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