Surgical Repair of Asphyxiating Thoracic Dystrophy With Stryker Plates and Cadaveric Ribs

This video from CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Dr. Joel Dunning presents a repair for acquired asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy involving a person who underwent a Ravitch operation at the age of four. Unfortunately, this intervention inhibited the growth of the thoracic cavity, resulting in severe shortness of breath due to a very small thoracic cavity. 

The third to seventh ribs were resected where the cartilages used to be, and the sternum was elevated. A horizontal osteotomy was performed, followed by the placement of plates to open up the chest. Cadaveric ribs were then placed to bridge the gap. 

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