Does Costal Cartilage Resection Reduce Lung Volume ? (An Experimental Stereological Study)

Background: Surgical treatment of chest wall deformities is done with costal cartilage resection in selected patients adolescence. In this study, we evaluated the effect resections on lung volume by using computed tomography stereologically. Methods: sixteen 4-weeks-old New Zealand rabbits were employed. Young subjects preferred to evaluate operation growth process. order avoid postoperative complications, only 2 was performed. The surgical group resected right 4 and 5 cartilages (n = 8). that not operated accepted as control (n=8). followed. Computed thorax (CTT) scans all animals performed preoperatively at 4th week. Estimation pre- volumes Cavalieri principle. Results: followed up during growth, bilateral increased (15.75% 20.62% respectively left lungs). group, both side opposite decreased after (20.09% 1.07% Conclusions: Even though number limited, total resection. deformities, should be considered last option children.