Texas Toddler Receives Artificial Rib Implant

A 2-year-old boy who had been born without ribs on his right side is the first person to be given expandable titanium ribs designed by a Texas doctor that will help him live a normal life, doctors said Tuesday.

Christopher Cardenas was on a respirator for his first seven months until pins and a plastic sheath were implanted to keep his organs in place. The specially designed ribs were implanted in a six-hour operation April 13.