Flail chest secondary to excessive rib resection in idiopathic scoliosis: case report.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report a previously undescribed complication of scoliosis surgical treatment.


BACKGROUND
None available.


METHODS
Clinical case analysis.


RESULTS
Excessive rib resection resulted in a permanent "flail" chest.


CONCLUSIONS
Rib resection ("costoplasty") is a valuable procedure for obtaining bone graft and for esthetic reduction of rib prominence, but excessive removal and especially done twice can produce major disability.
Winter
Robert B
RB
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, Minnesota 55110, USA. KmcCarty@gillettechildrens.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005409:Flail Chest / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012272:Ribs / Q000601:surgery*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity