Does rib remodeling affect breathing?
It is one of the most common questions, and there is a study built to answer it. Lung function was measured with spirometry — the standard test — in 294 women: before surgery, at 6 months and at 1 year. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow and the ratio between them were compared.
Why the question is a fair one
Ribs form the chest wall, and the chest wall moves when you breathe. If a procedure changes the angle of the lower ribs, it is reasonable to ask whether that limits airflow. It is not an idle worry: it is the first one anybody with a grasp of anatomy raises.
That is why the study exists. The question is not answered with an opinion; it is answered by measuring.
What exactly was measured
Standard spirometry was performed at three time points: before surgery, at 6 months and at 12 months. The variables analysed were:
| Variable | What it measures |
|---|---|
| FVC (forced vital capacity) | Total air exhaled after a maximal inspiration |
| FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) | Air expelled in the first second |
| Peak expiratory flow | Peak speed of the outgoing air |
| FEV1/FVC ratio | The proportion between the two above |
294 women aged 18 to 38 took part, in two groups: those treated with RibXcar, and those treated with RibXcar plus rib conversion surgery (Xonversion Ribs).
How to read this study
It is a prospective study: planned first, measured afterwards, which is the correct way round. And it uses an objective test rather than the patient's perception.
It is signed by the technique's authors. Dr. Manzaneda is the first author. That does not invalidate it — it is peer-reviewed and published with a DOI — but it should be known when reading it.
A study describes what happened in one specific group. It does not replace the assessment of an individual patient, still less one with a pre-existing respiratory condition: that is for her surgeon and, where appropriate, a respiratory physician.