Treatment of rib prominence scoliosis in children

Objective In order to correct the rib prominence scoliosis in children .Methods From 1997 to 1999, 49 children with congenital scoliosis(27), idiopathic scoliosis(15), neurofibromatosis with scoliosis(6) and Marfan's syndrome with scoliosis(1) were treated. Rib resection was performed during the posterior spinal fusion on scoliosis, the spinal orthosis was applied postoperatively. Results No pneumothorax was happened postoperatively . All cases got satisfactory cosmetic appearance except 3 had residual rib prominence. Conclusions Multiple short segment costectomy is a safe and effective technique for the rib deformity in children with scoliosis. The resected ribs could provide the bone grafting for spinal fusion.