Dynamic thoracoplasty for asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy.
The life-saving procedures to expand the chests of infants born with Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy provide a static solution incapable of responding to the growth demands of thriving patients. We describe an instrument that provided a dynamic solution for an infant, where an initial methyl methacrylate midsternotomy spacer placed at 4 months of age was followed at 11 months with recurrence of his difficulties. At 8 months after the second operation the patient was stable and thriving with no recurrence of symptoms. The instrument modifications, limitations, and possible complications are described.
Kaddoura
I L
IL
Department of Surgery, American University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. imadkaddoura@hotmail.com
Obeid
M Y
MY
Mroueh
S M
SM
Nasser
A A
AA
D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010009:Osteochondrodysplasias / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013577:Syndrome; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods