The King V curve pattern. Its analysis and surgical treatment.

The importance of the double thoracic (King V) curve lies in the need for the patient to have a balanced connection. None of us wishes to produce a decompensated trunk patient as the result of our surgical efforts. To recognize the curve pattern, one should read carefully the classic article by King et al. To select the proper technique of management, one should read the new work by Lee et al, which discusses subtleties not described in the previous article. At our center, we favor balanced correction so that the result is two curves of equal value, level shoulders, absence of an ugly trapezius area prominence, a vertical and well-centered torso, and a normal sagittal contour. Over-correction of the right thoracic curve must be avoided.