Objective   To discuss the efficacy of thoracoplasty for correction of severe and rigid idiopathic scoliosis.   Methods  Control study. Fifteen patients received thoracoplasty as the study group in operation and 13 did not receive thoracoplasty as the control group. The coronal Cobb angle of the major curves

the height and angle of the rib hump between both the two groups were compared.   Results  The mean correction rate of the coronal Cobb angle of the major curves

the height and angle of the rib hump was 51.16%

51.72% and 58.69% in the study group

45.18%

26.31% and 11.10% in the control group

with significant difference between the two groups (P0.01). Five patients in the study group developed hemothorax and were cured after chest drainage.    Conclusion  Thoracoplasty is effective in correction of severe and rigid idiopathic scoliosis and lowering the height of the rib hump

but accompanied by slight complications

such as hemothorax and hemopneumothorax.