Letter to Editor
Open Access
The Vertically Expandable Prosthetic Titanium
Rib (VEPTR) for Patients with Thoracic
Insufficiency Syndrome in Pakistan
Muhammad Umer Ahmed1*, Mustufa Pervez 2, Talha Hussain Chaudhry1 and Hunain Aslam1
1Ziauddin University, ziauddin medical college, karachi, Pakistan
2Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton Karachi, MS trainee Department of Orthopedics, ziauddin medical college, Karachi, Pakistan
2Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton Karachi, MS trainee Department of Orthopedics, ziauddin medical college, Karachi, Pakistan
*Corresponding author:
Dr.Muhammad Umer Ahmed, Ziauddin University, ziauddin medical college, Karachi, Pakistan. E-mail:
Received: March 06, 2018; Accepted: April 25, 2018; Published: May 10, 2018
Citation: Ahmed MU, Chaudhry TH, Aslam H, Pervez M, (2018) The Vertically Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) for
Patients with Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome in Pakistan. SOJ Surgery 5(1): 1-1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15226/2376-4570/5/1/00154
Thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) is a condition in
which the thorax is unable to support the normal lung growth
and may lead to anomalies of the ribs, spine and chest [1]. It can
also include a myriad of conditions including Jeunes syndrome
, achondroplasia , rib fusion, flail chest syndrome, Jarcho Levin
Syndrome, Ellis Van Crevald Syndrome and progressive scoliosis
.Currently the only option for treatment of TIS is VEPTR (vertically
expandable prosthetic titanium rib), which is an expandable
metal device made of titanium. The VEPTR or the titanium rib is
an implantable prosthesis that can be expanded over time, when
used in compliance with opening wedge thoracostomy for the
purpose of expansion thoracoplasty. The VEPTR is composed of
a superior and an inferior cradle, cradle end halves, cradle locks,
rib sleeve, rib sleeve, sacral ala hook and a metal rod. This metal
rod can be either attached in a rib to rib or a rib to hip implant
and can be adjusted based on the patient’s chest wall size. After
the device has been implanted it is expanded once in six months
to accommodate the patient’s chest growth. Ultimately, when
thoracic maturity has been achieved, the process of spine to spine
fusion makes the expansion permanent. The benefits of the device
include enhancement of chest wall deformity, improved quality of
life, reduced mortality and the maintenance of growth potential
of the thorax and its contents with or without improvement of
respiratory function. The complications on the other hand are the
ones associated with normal chest wall surgery.
The VEPTR was invented by Dr.Robert Campbell at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the concept of is based on the Steinmann chest tube prosthesis and currently there are two main subtypes available, VEPTR and VEPTR II. The device is being manufactured by Syntheses Spine (Chestnut, Philadelphia) and is currently used in 25 countries across the globe, including the United States in 2004.
The VEPTR has played a revolutionizing role in improving lives of affected children around the world. Its introduction to countries like Pakistan could change the lives of many children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome.
The VEPTR was invented by Dr.Robert Campbell at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the concept of is based on the Steinmann chest tube prosthesis and currently there are two main subtypes available, VEPTR and VEPTR II. The device is being manufactured by Syntheses Spine (Chestnut, Philadelphia) and is currently used in 25 countries across the globe, including the United States in 2004.
The VEPTR has played a revolutionizing role in improving lives of affected children around the world. Its introduction to countries like Pakistan could change the lives of many children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome.
ReferencesTop
- Campbell RM. Personal communication to K.U. Lewandrowski and John Emans. 1993.
