Are there indications for partial rib resection in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation?
In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis the cosmetically unacceptable rib prominence is one of the main reasons patients seek treatment. Ninety-eight patients were reviewed with Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) instrumentation (average follow-up, 27 months; average preoperative curve, 53 degrees) and 27 patients with Harrington instrumentation and rib resection (average follow-up, 43 months; average preoperative curve, 52 degrees). Of the 98 patients who had CD instrumentation, 15 underwent concomitant rib resection. Of the 83 patients without rib resection, 71 (72%) were rated satisfactory and 12 unsatisfactory by cosmetic criteria based on residual rib deformity. These results were compared to those of 27 patients receiving Harrington rod instrumentation and rib resection, of whom 23 (85%) were rated as satisfactory. All 15 patients with CD and rib resection were rated satisfactory. The CD patients were then redivided into two groups (rib resection indicated or rib resection not indicated) as follow
