Anatomical Bases for Aesthetic Costal Surgery: Assessing the Thoracoabdominal Limits

Abstract

Background: Knowing the anatomy of the ribs is crucial for understanding various rib procedures. The present study is aimed at describing radiological measurements and ratios of 83 Latin American patients undergoing thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT). Methods: A total of 83 thoracoabdominal computed tomography scans of women aged 18–35 conducted at a medical center in Lima, Peru, were reviewed from January 2022 to January 2023. The resulting measurements and ratios were used to calculate frequency distributions. All data were stored in a Microsoft Excel database and analyzed using statistical analysis software SPSS version 28. Results: Ratios and measures of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ribs are shown in the different tables, and costal characteristics with an adequate statistical significance are defined. Conclusions: Using radiological measurements and rib ratios, we were able to find key anatomical relationships with an adequate level of significance, which could help establish objective results in rib procedures.