[Use of VEPTR (Vertebral Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib) device in the treatment of congenital spine and thorax deformities].
Congenital spine and thorax deformities are an interdisciplinary clinical problem. Apart from trunk deformity they may lead to respiratory or cardiovascular insufficiency. Surgical treatment should be implimented as soon as possible in order to improve posture, balance and further development. This treatment should not impair further growth of the young spine. This is possible with the VEPTR device.


OBJECTIVE
Aim of paper is presentation of initial results of surgical treatment of congenital spine deformities with the VEPTR system.


METHODS
We treated 3 patients, aged 5 to 14. All had severe congenital spine and thorax deformities. The VEPTR device was implanted in the following configurations: rib-rib in two patients and spine-rib in one patient. We evaluated: Cobb angle of the main curve, spine balance, respiratory function before and after surgical treatment. Followup was 12 months.


RESULTS
Posture and balance of the spine improved in all patients. Curve correction was from 10% to 71%. In one patient with initial respiratory insufficiency symptoms subsided gradually.


CONCLUSIONS
VEPTR device is indicated in treatment of severe congenital deformities of the spine and thoracic cage. It improves patients' posture, changes the shape of thorax wall and consecutively improves respiratory function and further development.
Zarzycki
Daniel
D
Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Collegium Medicum, Klinika Ortopedii i Rehabilitacji w Zakopanem.
Tesiorowski
Maciej
M
Potaczek
Tomasz
T
Jasiewicz
Barbara
B
Kacki
Wojciech
W
Lipik
Ewa
E
Lokas
Krzysztof
K
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012272:Ribs / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D012600:Scoliosis; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D013909:Thorax / Q000002:abnormalities; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014025:Titanium