Lung functions after correction of scoliosis angle

ABSTRACT

In this study we evaluated lung volumes, volume changes relative to Cobb angle and correlation of volume changes with Cobb angle changes before and after the surgery. Eighteen non-smoker patients with idiopathic scoliosis were included in this descriptive observational study. Cobb angle, lung volume and flow were measured before and after the surgery. To assess height and weight changes during the follow-up period, we used the percent relative to normal [percent predicted] instead of absolute volumes. Eighteen of 30 selected patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 34.5 +/- 19.6 months. Dynamic volume changes of lung were VC= -13.4 SD=8.6 [p < 0.005]; FVC=-9.22 SD=14 [p < 0.001]; FEV1=9.8 SD=15 [p < 0.001]. There was a weak correlation between the mean value of dynamic volume changes and the mean changes in Cobb angle after the surgery. There was a weak correlation between Cobb angle and dynamic volume of lung before the surgery. In this study there was a significant decrement of dynamic lung volumes after corrective surgery for thoracic curve scoliosis