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Scoliosis after chest wall resection

  • Original Clinical Article
  • Published:
Journal of Children's Orthopaedics

Abstract

Background data

There has been an increased focus on the role of rib abnormalities in the development of scoliosis. Rib resection may influence the development of scoliosis. Although scoliosis has been identified in patients after thoracotomy, most of the currently available information is from case reports.

Methods

We examined records of 37 patients who underwent a chest wall or rib resection for rib lesions at our institution during the period of 1992 to 2005. Adequate data was available in 21 patients. We gathered data on demographic information, location of resection, and changes in curvature after resection based on radiograph or scout CT films at the latest follow-up appointment.

Results

Fourteen of 21 patients developed scoliosis with a mean Cobb angle of 25.8° (10°–70°). Eleven of these 14 patients had a progressive spinal deformity after chest wall resection with an average change in curvature of 29° (10°–70°). Eight of those 11 developed a convex toward the resection, while 3/11 developed a convex away from the resection. Seven of the eight patients with resections that included a rib superior to the sixth rib developed scoliosis, while four of 13 with resections below the sixth rib developed scoliosis.

Conclusion

Patients who have had a rib or chest wall resection are at risk for developing scoliosis, particularly if the resection is performed above the sixth rib.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Instructor, Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Hunnewell 2, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Michael P. Glotzbecker, Meryl Gold & M. Timothy Hresko

  2. Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Mark Puder

Authors
  1. Michael P. Glotzbecker
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  2. Meryl Gold
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  3. Mark Puder
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  4. M. Timothy Hresko
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael P. Glotzbecker.

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Glotzbecker, M.P., Gold, M., Puder, M. et al. Scoliosis after chest wall resection. J Child Orthop 7, 301–307 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-013-0519-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-013-0519-2

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