Scoliosis after thoracotomy in tracheoesophageal fistula patients. A follow-up study.

The cases of eighteen patients who underwent thoracotomy for treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula or esophageal atresia were reviewed after a follow-up of ten years or more. In nine patients spinal curves of 10 degrees or more had developed, and eight of the nine curves were convex away from the side of incision. Curves were found to have appeared at any time from early childhood to skeletal maturity, but those that developed before the adolescent growth spurt were most likely to progress. Patients who have undergone thoracotomy early in childhood should be watched carefully for the development of scoliosis.