Objective: To compare subjective treatment outcomes in patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation with rib resection at the curve apex and in patients who did not undergo rib resection at the same time as scoliosis correction.
Material and methods: Treatment outcomes were assessed with the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire. The study group included 68 patients who had undergone scoliosis correction with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation without concurrent rib resection and 60 patients who underwent rib resection during scoliosis correction surgery using fragments of the resected ribs for posterior fusion. Mean time since surgery was 4 years 4 months in the first group, and 2 years and 6 months in the second. Mean age of patients at the time of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation surgery was 14 years 8 months in the first group and 15 years 6 months in the second.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (in favour of the group with the rib resection) in the mean number of points per question in the overall score and the satisfaction with surgery, pain, general self-image, and post-operative function domain scores.
Conclusion: In the light of the SRS questionnaire, reduction of rib curve height concurrent with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation increased the degree of treatment satisfaction and improved patients' self-esteem without increasing back or chest pain.