OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the reduction of rib prominence in patients who underwent thoracoplasty versus matched control patients who underwent fusion without thoracoplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Correction in rib prominence with thoracoplasty is not well quantified in the literature. The role of rib bone graft as an alternative to iliac crest is unknown. METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent thoracoplasty were reviewed and compared with 26 patients who underwent fusion without thoracoplasty. Rib prominence, clinical data, and patient outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean reduction in rib prominence was 71% in the thoracoplasty group and 17% in the control group. There was no difference in estimated blood loss, operative time, and length of hospitalization. Satisfaction with thoracoplasty was high. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoplasty is more effective than fusion alone for reduction of rib prominence in thoracic scoliosis; it provides ample, effective bone graft for fusion.
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Geissele et al. (1994) studied this question.