Flail chest secondary to excessive rib resection in idiopathic scoliosis: case report
Winter, R.B.
Spine 27(6): 668-670
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0362-2436 PMID: 11884917 Document Number: 545023
Study Design: Case report. Objectives: To report a previously undescribed complication of scoliosis surgical treatment. Summary of Background Data: None available. Methods: Clinical case analysis. Results: Excessive rib resection resulted in a permanent "flail" chest. Conclusion: 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.