# Surgical timing for asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy

## TL;DR

A 4-year-old girl with asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy had severe complications after surgery, highlighting the importance of timing for corrective operations.

## Contribution

The study emphasizes the need for careful evaluation of surgical timing in young children with asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy.

## Key findings

- Corrective surgery for asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy is optimal between 6 and 12 years old.
- Children under 6 years old face higher risks and require careful evaluation before surgery.
- Early surgical intervention can lead to severe respiratory complications.

## Abstract

This report describes a 4-year-old girl diagnosed with asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy who experienced severe respiratory distress and multiple complications after undergoing a corrective operation for a thoracic deformity. The optimal age for children with asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy to receive a corrective operation is between 6 and 12 years old. For children under 6 years old, the decision to undergo an operation should be carefully evaluated.

A 4-year-old female presented with a progressive thoracic wall deformity existent since birth, accompanied by growth retardation and tachypnoea after exercise, with recurrent lung infections over the past 6 months.