Thoracic Institute
Titanium Rib Program

In 1989, the vertical expandable prosthetictitanium rib (VEPTR) was developed by Robert M. Campbell, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon and Melvin D. Smith, M.D., pediatric general surgeon at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. The implant procedure was developed specifically for skeletally immature children with congenital rib cage deformities and thoracic insufficiency syndrome. The Thoracic Institute of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital was the first site in the world to perform titanium rib implants, and continues to be a leader in the field.

The Common Diagnoses Treated with the VEPTR device include:

  • Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome
  • Congenital scoliosis and fused ribs; absent rib syndrome
  • Jeune’s Syndrome, or Asphyxiating Thoracic Dystrophy
  • Jarcho-Levine Syndrome, or Spondylocostal dysostosis and Spondylothoracic dysostosis
  • Cerebro-costo-mandibular Syndrome
  • Klippel-Feil Syndrome
  • Poland Syndrome
  • Ellis van Crevald Syndrome
  • Other spine and chest wall abnormalities

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