CHOP - The Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome

Thoracic insufficiency syndrome is a complex condition that involves chest wall deformities that affect normal breathing and lung growth. In most cases, children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome are also born with congenital spinal disorders, such as scoliosis.

The Wyss/Campbell Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of only a few institutions in the United States that offers an FDA-approved treatment for thoracic insufficiency syndrome. The treatment involves use of a special titanium implant called a vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR).