Recovery of pulmonary function following endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction: evaluation at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.
METHODS
A series of patients with scoliosis undergoing endoscopic anterior instrumentation and fusion undertaking repeated pulmonary function assessments.


OBJECTIVE
To assess recovery of pulmonary function in the 2 years following endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction.


BACKGROUND
Recent studies have found that pulmonary function returns to preoperative levels 12-24 months following endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction, and a small improvement in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) has also been reported.


METHODS
A series of 44 patients with endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction had pulmonary function tests before surgery, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, and total lung capacity (TLC) were measured. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used to investigate changes in pulmonary function between successive assessments.


RESULTS
Pulmonary function decreased by approximately 10% at 3 months after surgery. At 24 months after surgery, FVC and FEV1 recovered to 5% to 8% higher than preoperative levels, while TLC returned to preoperative levels. Statistically significant improvements in most pulmonary function values occurred between 3 and 6, and 6-12 months. Improvements in mean FVC, FEV1, and TLC continue between 12 and 24 months, although only the increase in absolute FVC for this time is statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic anterior scoliosis surgery has no lasting negative effect on pulmonary function, and with prolonged follow-up, pulmonary capacity improves beyond preoperative levels.
Izatt
Maree T
MT
From the Paediatric Spine Research Group, Queensland University of Technology and Mater Health Services Brisbane Ltd, Queensland, Australia.
Harvey
Jason R
JR
Adam
Clayton J
CJ
Fender
David
D
Labrom
Robert D
RD
Askin
Geoffrey N
GN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017586:Diskectomy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity / Q000502:physiology