[Evaluation of the efficacy of a carbon brace ("Corset monocoque carbone respectant la respiration" [CMCR]) preserving lung capacity to treat idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents: a retrospective study of 115 patients].

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate whether treatment with a carbon brace (CMCR) stops the progression of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents affected by combined or thoraco-lumbar scoliosis.

Method: We compared clinical features (hump and vital capacity) and radiolographic data (Cobb angle, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis) at brace set-up and removal in 115 children and adolescents with combined or thoraco-lumbar scoliosis. The impact of the brace was evaluated in 2 subgroups: patients who started the treatment at Risser stages 0, 1 or 2 and those who started the treatment at Risser stages 3 or 4.