Objective: To assess what degree of chest wall deformation changes statistically reliably after surgery, using pre- and postoperative radiological examination data.
Methods: Radiological chest examinations were performed for 88 children before and after remedial operations. Pre- and postoperative chest radiograph and CT were performed to measure transversal chest width; sagittal left chest side depth, sagittal right chest side depth, sternovertebral distance and vertebral body length. Derivative indices were also estimated: Vertebral index (VI), Frontosagittal index (FI), Haller index (HI) and asymmetry index. Computerized assessment of data was used. For statistical analysis, the software "Statistica 6.0" was used.
Results: Postoperatively VI increased approximately by 2.37+/-2.72, FI decreased by 4.60+/-4.34 and HI value increased approximately up by 0.45+/-0.49. Statistically significant deformation index difference before and after surgery was not detected when VI was below 26.2 (p=0.08), FI was above 32.9 (p=0.079) and HI was less than 3.12 (p=0.098).
Conclusion: Preoperative CT and X-ray assessment of chest wall deformation degree is important for pediatric patients. The following deformation indices are indications for surgical treatment: VI>26, FSI< 33 and HI>3.1.