Thoracic scoliosis was produced in 24 New Zealand rabbits by 2 methods of rib resection. Scoliosis was detected in X-ray film taken one month and 3 or 5 months after operation. Aortic blood specimens were obtained for gas analysis in 18 of the 24 animals. Out of the 18 animals, 5 had scoliosis with a curvature less than 15°, another 5 with a curvature between 18°-27°, while the remaining 8 with a curvature greater than 30°. The blood gas of the scoliotic rabbits was compared with that of 6 normal adult rabbits. With increase in scoliotic curvature the PaCO2 increased, while the PaO2 decreased. The PaCO2 and PaO2 of the group with curvature greater than 30°showed sigrificant difference as compared with those of the normal animals （P0.01 and P0.001 respectively ）, signifying a hypoxemia with severe scoliosis.Scoliotic curvature of patients greater than 30°constitutes an indication for surgical correction. As these scoliotic patients may have subclinical abnormal pulmonary function with potential danger of post-operative respiratory complication, orthopaedic surgeons should give them careful consideration before resorting to operation.
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