VEPTR
Pronunciation: VEP-ter
Also written as: VEPTR — Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib
Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib, a surgical implant system used to treat severe spinal deformities in growing children.
Full Definition
VEPTR (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib) is a surgical implant system designed to treat severe spinal deformities and thoracic insufficiency in growing children. The device consists of titanium ribs and expansion hardware that can be lengthened as the child grows, maintaining spinal alignment while preserving lung function. VEPTR procedures require multiple staged surgeries and regular expansions, making accurate documentation of device specifications and expansion schedules critical in medical records.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out the full form on first use in documents; subsequent references may use the acronym.
In Context
- "The patient underwent VEPTR implantation for treatment of congenital scoliosis with thoracic insufficiency syndrome." — Operative report
- "VEPTR expansion was performed under general anesthesia to accommodate 6 months of patient growth." — Procedure note