CORRECTION OF SCOLIOSIS BY RIB RESECTION IN PINEALECTOMIZED CHICKENS

Experimental scoliosis with the potential for marked progression was t reated by rib resection without spinal fusion to investigate the corre ctive effect of rib resection on progressive scoliosis. Forty chickens were divided into two groups (groups A and B) and pinealectomy was pe rformed at 3 days of age. In group B, three ribs were resected on the concave side if scoliosis of >20 degrees developed before the age of 4 weeks. Spinal radiographs were taken until the age of 20 weeks at 4-w eek intervals to evaluate the scoliosis. Chickens in group A developed severe scoliosis (24-85 degrees) that progressed until 20 weeks of ag e, and chickens in group B showed mild scoliosis (6-56 degrees). Some degree of reprogression was found after early bone union at the sites of rib resection. Rib resection may be able to control progressive sco liosis when performed on the concave side of the curve.