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The titanium rib is an implantable prosthetic device that is being used investigationally to treat
a variety of congenital (present at time of birth) thoracic deformities which cause a condition known as
'Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome'. Thoracic Insufficiency is described as the inability of the thorax to support normal respiration and lung growth and development, and can be brought about by severe malformations of the chest, spine and ribs, which together comprise the thorax and act as a dynamic biomechanical structure which can only work efficiently at respiration within certain physical parameters. When a significant deformity of the thoracic cage exists, it changes the dynamics of this system, and if severe enough, can prevent normal breathing from occuring. Aside from the seriousness of being unable to breathe normally, additional health problems may develop as a result of the poor function of the respiratory system. Often, the work of respiration alone is so demanding energetically that patients can fail to gain appropriate weight and size as they grow older, and also may suffer from frequent respiratory infections which can lead to hospitalization and the need for artificial ventilatory support.
Congenital diseases that can lead to thoracic insufficiency syndrome include congenital scoliosis with or without vertebral anomalies and/or fused or absent ribs, Jeune's Asphyxiating Thoracic Dystrophy, Jarcho-Levin Syndrome (spondylocostal dysplasia), Pierre-Robin Syndrome, Cerebrocostomandibular Syndrome, Golden-Har Syndrome, and others. Many patients treated in the Titanium Rib program suffer from these disorders and may also have Spina Bifida (myelomenigocele), VATER syndrome, and a number of other medical conditions.