Improved pulmonary function after concave rib resection and posterior instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis.

The authors conducted a prospective study in order to evaluate the effect'of concave rib osteotomy on pulmonary function, in the context of posterior instrumentation for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Concave rib osteotomy improves the flexibility of the spine, especially in very rigid curves above 70. Seventy-eight consecutive children with a Cobb angle above 70 degrees were included in the study.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion using a hybrid graft.

This prospective study evaluates the clinical and radiological results of anterior lumbar interbody fusion using a femoral cortical ring allograft (FCA) packed with cancellous autologous bone (hybrid graft), combined with posterior pedicular fixation but without posterior fusion, for symptomatic degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Twenty-eight out of 30 consecutive adult patients were followed up for a minimum period of 2 years. Intra- and postoperative complications were seen in 2 out of 28 patients (7%); no complications resulted from the allografts.