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Abstract
This paper reports on 41 immature patients whose scoliosis was treated by fixation of ribs on the convexity. All had progressive scoliosis, the curve deteriorating at more than 10° p.a., or the rib-vertebra angle difference being greater than 20°. Of the 24 with infantile idiopathic scoliosis examined 5 years after operation, 10 maintained the improvement obtained at operation and in a further 19 the rate of deterioration had been slowed.
Factors leading to a favourable outcome included: 1) An initial rib-vertebra angle difference of less than 30°. 2) Success in achieving convex rib fusion. 3) The use of the operation in patients with infantile idiopathic scoliosis. There was a less favourable outcome in congenital and adolescent scoliosis. Spirometric volumes were diminished immediately after operation. Costodesis is therefore contraindi-cated in patients with precarious respiratory function.