[Thoracic complications of convex thoracoplasty in patients with thoracic scoliosis].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze thoracic complications related to the convex thoracoplasty for the treatment of rib hump deformity in patients with thoracic scoliosis.


METHODS
Between December 2003 and September 2007, 548 patients with thoracic scoliosis underwent posterior spinal correction and the convex thoracoplasty. There were 167 male and 381 female, with an average age of 16.1 years (range, 12 to 38 years). The mean preoperative rib prominence was 35 degrees (range, 16 degrees to 50 degrees).


RESULTS
The mean number of resected ribs was 4.1. The mean rib prominence was 7 degrees (range 2 degrees to 17 degrees) after operation. No death happened. Thoracic complications related to the thoracoplasty consisted of respiratory insufficiency in 1 (0.2%) patient,intraoperative tear of parietal pleura in 29 (5.3%), with a subsequent pleural effusion in 6 and pneumothorax in 3. In the other patients, no obvious tear of parietal pleura was found during operation. However, 6 (1.1%) patients had pleural effusion after operati on.


CONCLUSIONS
The thoracic complications related to convex thoracoplasty can be decreased by improving the surgical skill and using respiratory function monitoring.
Zhu
Ze-zhang
ZZ
Department of Spine Surgery, Gulou Hospital Affiliated of Medical College of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China
Qiu
Yong
Y
Wang
Bin
B
Yu
Yang
Y
Qian
Bang-ping
BP
Zhu
Feng
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*