Rib hump deformity assessment using the rib index in adolescent scoliotics treated with full screw or hybrid constructs: aetiological implications

Objectives Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a 3D deformity of the trunk with detectable bony asymmetries and deformities not only of the spine the central axis but also of the rib cage and other parts of the body. The thorax, like any other part of the skeleton displays variations in dimensions and proportions. The bony framework of the thorax changes so that the side to side width of the chest cavity exceeds the anteroposterior length while the ribs become structurally stronger as the child grows up. Review of literature reveals that in Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) surgery, the post-op correction of the thoracic deformity using full transpedicular screw and hybrid constructs, applying the Rib-Index (RI) method, was never compared. Therefore the aim of this report is to study which of the above two constructs offers better postoperative RH deformity correction.