2011 Expansion thoracoplasty affects lung growth and morphology in a rabbit model CORR Open Access

Description: Background Thoracic insufficiency syndrome represents a novel form of postnatal restrictive respiratory disease occurring in children with early-onset scoliosis and chest wall anomalies. Expansion thoracoplasty improves lung volumes in children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome; however, how it affects lung development is unknown.
Questions/purposes Using a rabbit model of thoracic insufficiency syndrome, we evaluated the effect of expansion thoracoplasty on the response of biologic mechanisms in the alveolar microstructure.
Conclusions Treatment of thoracic insufficiency syndrome by expansion thoracoplasty may prevent emphysematous changes in the alveolar microstructure, thereby enhancing gas exchange.
Clinical Relevance Creating an animal model for thoracic insufficiency syndrome should provide insight into the effect of expansion thoracoplasty on lung development otherwise clinically unattainable.
Expansion thoracoplasty affects lung growth and morphology in a rabbit model: a pilot study. Olson JC, Kurek KC, Mehta HP, Warman ML, Snyder BD. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011 May;469(5):1375-82. (full text)