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1: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997 Sep 15;22(18):2178-82. Links

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Endoscopic thoracoplasty technique.

Mehlman CT, Crawford AH, Wolf RK.

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

STUDY DESIGN: The study of two patients whose rib deformity was treated using a new endoscopic thoracoplasty technique is reported. OBJECTIVES: To report a new endoscopic thoracoplasty technique for the treatment of rib deformities associated with idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Thoracoplasty has traditionally been performed as an open procedure, often necessitating additional incisions and/or tissue dissection. METHODS: Two children with significant rib humps associated with idiopathic scoliosis were treated with a new endoscopic thoracoplasty technique. RESULTS: Both children showed dramatic cosmetic improvement of their rib deformity. CONCLUSIONS: The indications for the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity are expanding. We have extended our video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery repertoire to include endoscopic thoracoplasty for treatment of rib deformities associated with idiopathic scoliosis. The technique for endoscopic thoracoplasty is discussed, and illustrative cases are presented.

PMID: 9322329 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]