Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate in Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Optimizing pain management in spinal surgery is crucial for preventing adverse events due to delayed mobilization. Magnesium sulfate has potential benefits in spinal surgery because of its analgesic properties and modulation of neurotransmitters and autonomic nervous system. Existing evidence regarding the use of magnesium sulfate is partial and controversial, necessitating a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate in spinal surgery compared to other available options. This meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Patients undergoing spinal surgery were included, with the intervention group receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate (MS) at various doses or combinations, whereas the comparison group received other alternatives or a placebo. The efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed. Data were collected from multiple databases and analyzed using Review Manager version 5.4. Heterogeneity was assessed and fixed- or random-effects models were applied. The meta-analysis included eight studies (n = 541). Magnesium sulfate demonstrated significant reductions in pain at 24 h (MD -0.20, 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.02) and opioid consumption (SMD -0.66, 95% CI: -0.95 to -0.38) compared to placebo. Additionally, a decrease in the use of muscle relaxants (SMD -0.91, 95% CI: -1.65 to -0.17) and remifentanil (SMD -1.52, 95% CI: -1.98 to -1.05) was observed. In contrast, an increase in extubation time (MD 2.42, 95% CI: 1.14 to 3.71) and verbal response (MD 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.58) was observed compared to dexmedetomidine. In conclusion, magnesium sulfate administration in spinal surgery reduced pain and opioid consumption, and prolonged orientation and verbal response. No significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate were observed between the groups.

Incidence of cardiac anomalies in congenital vertebral deformity: systematic review and meta-analysis of 2910 patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the overall incidence of cardiac abnormalities in patients with congenital scoliosis and the possible influencing factors. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. The quality of the studies was assessed independently by two authors using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies (MINORS) criteria. The following data were extracted from the included studies: bibliometric data, number of patients, number of patients with cardiac anomalies, gender, types of deformity, diagnostic method, type of cardiac anomaly, location, and other associated anomalies. The Review Manager 5.4 software was used to group and analyze all the extracted data. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included nine studies and identified that 487 of 2,910 patients with congenital vertebral deformity had cardiac anomalies diagnosed by ultrasound (21.05%, 95% CI of 16.85-25.25%). The mitral valve prolapse was the most frequent cardiac anomaly (48.45%) followed by an unspecified valvular anomaly (39.81) and an atrial septal defect (29.98). A diagnosis of cardiac anomalies was highest in Europe (28.93%), followed by USA (27.21%) and China (15.33%). Females and formation defects were factors significantly associated with increased incidence of cardiac anomalies: 57.37%, 95% CI of 50.48-64.27% and 40.76%, 95% CI of 28.63-52.89%, respectively. Finally, 27.11% presented associated intramedullary anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis revealed that the overall incidence of cardiac abnormalities detected in patients with congenital vertebral deformity was 22.56%. The incidence rate of cardiac anomalies was higher in females and those with formation defects. The study offers guidance for ultrasound practitioners to accurately identify and diagnose the most common cardiac anomalies.

Efficacy of perioperative gabapentin use in patients with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing fusion surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess whether the perioperative use of gabapentin was associated with decreased opioid use. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. The randomized clinical trials included were focused on patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent posterior fusion surgery and were treated with gabapentin versus placebo medicine. The primary outcomes were opioid consumption at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h; time to introduction of oral medication, length of hospital stay, and period of urinary catheterization were also recorded. Data were combined using the Review Manager 5.4 software. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials with a pool of 196 adolescent patients (mean age: 14.8 ± 2.0 years) were included. At 24 and 48 h after surgery, opioid consumption was significantly lower in the gabapentin group: (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.79 to - 0.22) and (SMD: - 0.59; 95% CI - 0.88 to - 0.30), respectively. At 72 and 96 h, there were no significant differences between studies: (SMD: - 0.19; 95% CI - 0.52 to 0.13) and (SMD: 0.12; 95% CI - 0.25 to 0.50), respectively. Regarding the administration type, there were significant differences in favor of the 15 mg/kg subgroup with 600 mg at 48 h (SMD: - 0.69; 95% CI - 1.08 to - 0.30). There were no significant differences concerning the time to introduction of oral medication (MD: - 0.08; 95% CI - 0.39 to 0.23), hospitalization time (MD: - 0.12; 95% CI - 0.40 to 0.16), or period of urinary catheterization (SMD: - 0.27; 95% CI - 0.58 to 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin decreased opioid consumption during the first 48 h. Doses of 15 mg/kg showed superiority in reducing opioid consumption in the first 48 h. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.

Meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of anterior vertebral body tethering in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE: In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of anterior vertebral body tethering in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: We performed a literature search and analyzed the following data: baseline characteristics, efficacy measures (corrections of the main thoracic curve, proximal thoracic curve, and thoracolumbar curve, thoracic kyphosis, lumbosacral lordosis, rib hump, lumbar prominence and SRS-22 scores, and complications. Analyses were performed with Cochrane's Review Manager version 5.4. RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Significant corrections of the main thoracic (MD 22.51, 95% CI 12.93 to 32.09) proximal thoracic (MD 10.14°, 95% CI 7.25° to 13.02°), and thoracolumbar curve (MD 12.16, 95% CI 9.14 to 15.18) were found. No statistically significant corrections were observed on the sagittal plane assessed by thoracic kyphosis (MD - 0.60°, 95% CI - 2.45 to 1.26; participants = 622; studies = 4; I2 = 36%) and lumbosacral lordosis (MD 0.19°, 95% CI - 2.16° to 2.54°). Significant corrections were identified for rib hump (MD 5.26°, 95% CI 4.19° to 6.32°) and lumbar prominence (MD 1.20°, 95% CI 0.27° to 2.13°) at final follow-up. Significant improvements of total SRS-22 score (MD - 0.96, 95% CI - 1.10 to - 0.83) were achieved at final follow-up. The most common complication was overcorrection (8.0%) and tether breakage (5.9%), with a reoperation rate of 10.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior vertebral body tethering is effective to reduce the curve in the coronal plane and clinical deformity. Maximum correction is achieved at one year. The method should, however, be optimized to reduce the rate of complications.

Identification of circulating miRNAs differentially expressed in patients with Limb-girdle, Duchenne or facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophies.

BACKGROUND: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a rare neuromuscular disease including a growing and heterogeneous number of subtypes with variable phenotype. Their clinical and histopathological characteristics frequently overlap with other neuromuscular dystrophies. Our goal was to identify, by a non-invasive method, a molecular signature including biochemical and epigenetic parameters with potential value for patient prognosis and stratification. RESULTS: Circulating miRNome was obtained by smallRNA-seq in plasma from LGMD patients (n = 6) and matched-controls (n = 6). Data, validated by qPCR in LGMD samples, were also examined in other common muscular dystrophies: Duchenne (DMD) (n = 5) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) (n = 4). Additionally, biochemical and clinical parameters were analyzed. miRNome analysis showed that thirteen differentially expressed miRs could separate LGMD vs control group by hierarchical clustering. Most of differentially expressed miRs in LGMD patients were up-regulated (miR-122-5p, miR-122b-3p, miR-6511a-3p, miR-192-5p, miR-574-3p, mir-885-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-4646-3p, miR-203a-3p and miR-203b-5p) whilst only three of sequenced miRs were significantly down-regulated (miR-19b-3p, miR-7706, miR-323b-3p) when compared to matched controls. Bioinformatic analysis of target genes revealed cell cycle, muscle tissue development, regeneration and senescence as the most affected pathways. Four of these circulating miRs (miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-19b-3p and miR-323b-3p), together with the myomiR miR-206, were further analysed by qPCR in LGMD, DMD and FSHD. The receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) revealed high area under the curve (AUC) values for selected miRs in all groups, indicating that these miRs have good sensitivity and specificity to distinguish LGMD, DMD and FSHD patients from healthy controls. miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p and miR-323-3p were differentially expressed compared to matched-controls in all groups but apparently, each type of muscular dystrophy showed a specific pattern of miR expression. Finally, a strong correlation between miRs and biochemical data was only found in LGMD patients: while miR-192-5p and miR-122-5p negatively correlated with CK, miR-192-5p positively correlated with vitamin D3 and ALP. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by the small number of patients included in this study, we propose here a specific combination of circulating miR-122-5p/miR-192-5p/miR-323-3 and biochemical parameters as a potential molecular signature whose clinical value for LGMD patient prognosis and stratification should be further confirmed in a larger cohort of patients.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy of ketamine in postoperative pain control in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing spinal fusion.

PURPOSE: In this meta-analysis, we aim to compare ketamine use versus a control group (saline solution) during induction of anesthesia in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing fusion surgery in terms of postoperative opioid consumption, pain control, and side effects. METHODS: A PubMed search of studies published over the last 20 years using the descriptor/terms "ketamine AND scoliosis" was performed. Baseline characteristics of each article were obtained and efficacy measures analyzed (morphine equivalent treatment at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively, complications (vomiting/nausea and pruritus), length of hospital stay (days); and pain score (VAS)) (Review Manager 5.4 software package). RESULTS: Five randomized clinical trials were included. Morphine administration showed statistically significant differences at 24 and 48 h (MD - 0.15, 95% CI - 0.18 to - 0.12) and (MD - 0.26, 95% CI - 0.31 to - 0.21) between the ketamine and control (saline solution), respectively. No intergroup differences were found regarding nausea/vomiting and pruritus (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.67) and (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.62), respectively, same as for the pain score (MD - 0.75, 95% CI - 1.71 to 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: The use intraoperative and postoperative continuous low doses of ketamine significantly reduces opioid use throughout the first 48 h in patients with AIS who undergo posterior spinal fusion.

From genetics to epigenetics to unravel the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis is defined as the three-dimensional (3D) structural deformity of the spine with a radiological lateral Cobb angle (a measure of spinal curvature) of ≥10° that can be caused by congenital, developmental or degenerative problems. However, those cases whose etiology is still unknown, and affect healthy children and adolescents during growth, are the commonest form of spinal deformity, known as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In AIS management, early diagnosis and the accurate prediction of curve progression are most important because they can decrease negative long-term effects of AIS treatment, such as unnecessary bracing, frequent exposure to radiation, as well as saving the high costs of AIS treatment. Despite efforts made to identify a method or technique capable of predicting AIS progression, this challenge still remains unresolved. Genetics and epigenetics, and the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, open up new avenues to not only clarify AIS etiology, but to also identify potential biomarkers that can substantially improve the clinical management of these patients. This review presents the most relevant biomarkers to help explain the etiopathogenesis of AIS and provide new potential biomarkers to be validated in large clinical trials so they can be finally implemented into clinical settings.

The Global Spine Care Initiative: model of care and implementation.

PURPOSE: Spine-related disorders are a leading cause of global disability and are a burden on society and to public health. Currently, there is no comprehensive, evidence-based model of care for spine-related disorders, which includes back and neck pain, deformity, spine injury, neurological conditions, spinal diseases, and pathology, that could be applied in global health care settings. The purposes of this paper are to propose: (1) principles to transform the delivery of spine care; (2) an evidence-based model that could be applied globally; and (3) implementation suggestions. METHODS: The Global Spine Care Initiative (GSCI) meetings and literature reviews were synthesized into a seed document and distributed to spine care experts. After three rounds of a modified Delphi process, all participants reached consensus on the final model of care and implementation steps. RESULTS: Sixty-six experts representing 24 countries participated. The GSCI model of care has eight core principles: person-centered, people-centered, biopsychosocial, proactive, evidence-based, integrative, collaborative, and self-sustaining. The model of care includes a classification system and care pathway, levels of care, and a focus on the patient's journey. The six steps for implementation are initiation and preparation; assessment of the current situation; planning and designing solutions; implementation; assessment and evaluation of program; and sustain program and scale up. CONCLUSION: The GSCI proposes an evidence-based, practical, sustainable, and scalable model of care representing eight core principles with a six-step implementation plan. The aim of this model is to help transform spine care globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries and underserved communities. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

The Global Spine Care Initiative: methodology, contributors, and disclosures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to describe the Global Spine Care Initiative (GSCI) contributors, disclosures, and methods for reporting transparency on the development of the recommendations. METHODS: World Spine Care convened the GSCI to develop an evidence-based, practical, and sustainable healthcare model for spinal care. The initiative aims to improve the management, prevention, and public health for spine-related disorders worldwide; thus, global representation was essential. A series of meetings established the initiative's mission and goals. Electronic surveys collected contributorship and demographic information, and experiences with spinal conditions to better understand perceptions and potential biases that were contributing to the model of care. RESULTS: Sixty-eight clinicians and scientists participated in the deliberations and are authors of one or more of the GSCI articles. Of these experts, 57 reported providing spine care in 34 countries, (i.e., low-, middle-, and high-income countries, as well as underserved communities in high-income countries.) The majority reported personally experiencing or having a close family member with one or more spinal concerns including: spine-related trauma or injury, spinal problems that required emergency or surgical intervention, spinal pain referred from non-spine sources, spinal deformity, spinal pathology or disease, neurological problems, and/or mild, moderate, or severe back or neck pain. There were no substantial reported conflicts of interest. CONCLUSION: The GSCI participants have broad professional experience and wide international distribution with no discipline dominating the deliberations. The GSCI believes this set of papers has the potential to inform and improve spine care globally. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

The Global Spine Care Initiative: World Spine Care executive summary on reducing spine-related disability in low- and middle-income communities.

PURPOSE: Spinal disorders, including back and neck pain, are major causes of disability, economic hardship, and morbidity, especially in underserved communities and low- and middle-income countries. Currently, there is no model of care to address this issue. This paper provides an overview of the papers from the Global Spine Care Initiative (GSCI), which was convened to develop an evidence-based, practical, and sustainable, spinal healthcare model for communities around the world with various levels of resources. METHODS: Leading spine clinicians and scientists around the world were invited to participate. The interprofessional, international team consisted of 68 members from 24 countries, representing most disciplines that study or care for patients with spinal symptoms, including family physicians, spine surgeons, rheumatologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, epidemiologists, research methodologists, and other stakeholders. RESULTS: Literature reviews on the burden of spinal disorders and six categories of evidence-based interventions for spinal disorders (assessment, public health, psychosocial, noninvasive, invasive, and the management of osteoporosis) were completed. In addition, participants developed a stratification system for surgical intervention, a classification system for spinal disorders, an evidence-based care pathway, and lists of resources and recommendations to implement the GSCI model of care. CONCLUSION: The GSCI proposes an evidence-based model that is consistent with recent calls for action to reduce the global burden of spinal disorders. The model requires testing to determine feasibility. If it proves to be implementable, this model holds great promise to reduce the tremendous global burden of spinal disorders. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Early-Onset Scoliosis: Updated Treatment Techniques and Results.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a review of the current literature on early-onset scoliosis (EOS) techniques and treatment written by the Growing Spine Committee of the Scoliosis Research Society. OBJECTIVES: The Growing Spine Committee of the Scoliosis Research Society sought to update the information available on the definition and treatment of EOS, including new information about existing techniques. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: EOS represents a diverse, heterogeneous, and clinically challenging group of spinal disorders occurring in children under the age of 10. Our understanding of EOS has changed dramatically in the last 15 years, and management of EOS has changed even more rapidly in the last five years. METHODS: The Growing Spine Committee of the Scoliosis Research Society has embarked upon a review of the most current literature on EOS techniques and treatment. RESULTS: This white paper provides recent updates on current techniques, including a summary of new modalities, indications, contraindications, and clinical results. CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment of EOS is still challenging and complicated, the evolution of options and knowledge presents hope for better understanding and management in the future. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Circulating miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been linked to many factors, such as asymmetric growth, neuromuscular condition, bone strength and genetic background. Recently, epigenetic factors have been proposed as contributors of AIS physiopathology, but information about the molecular mechanisms and pathways involved is scarce. Regarding epigenetic factors, microRNAs (miRNAs) are molecules that contribute to gene expression modulation by regulating important cellular pathways. We herein used Next-Generation Sequencing to discover a series of circulating miRNAs detected in the blood samples of AIS patients, which yielded a unique miRNA biomarker signature that diagnoses AIS with high sensitivity and specificity. We propose that these miRNAs participate in the epigenetic control of signalling pathways by regulating osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, thus modulating the genetic background of AIS patients. Our study yielded two relevant results: 1) evidence for the deregulated miRNAs that participate in osteoblast/osteoclast differentiation mechanisms in AIS; 2) this miRNA-signature can be potentially used as a clinical tool for molecular AIS diagnosis. Using miRNAs as biomarkers for AIS diagnostics is especially relevant since miRNAs can serve for early diagnoses and for evaluating the positive effects of applied therapies to therefore reduce the need of high-risk surgical interventions.

Late neurological complications due to laminar hook compression in idiopathic scoliosis surgery.

INTRODUCTION: To provide a review of unusual neurological complications occurring years after spinal instrumentation surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors analyzed the cases of three patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who presented with delayed neurological symptoms (later than 12 months postoperatively) following spinal deformity surgery using Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (TSRH) hook-rod instrumentation. One case presented with conus medullaris syndrome while the last two were rare cases of posterior cord syndrome due to a dislodged laminar hook at the thoracolumbar transition. DISCUSSION: In all three cases, the neurological symptoms were due to direct laminar hook compression. Metallosis was observed extra-spinally around the hook-rod construct but not at the sublaminar site. The dislodged laminar hook responsible for the symptoms was situated at the concavity of the curve with the blade-tip pointing downwards. Symptomatic improvement was observed in all patients following complete hardware removal. Conscientious long-term follow-up of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is important in order to recognize late neurological deficits directly related to instrumentation. Anamnesis and physical examination are key for initial assessment and diagnosis, while myelography and computed tomography (CT) images are of great help to confirm the site of spinal compression. Removal of the dislodged laminar hooks after PSF with TSRH instrumentation in AIS cases can potentially improve neurological symptoms.

Results of a preoperative autologous blood donation program for patients undergoing elective major spine surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Spinal surgery has been shown to have a high blood transfusion requirement. Preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) is a strategy to reduce the allogeneic transfusions in this subset of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed transfusion outcome of patients undergoing elective major spinal surgery from 2005 to 2011, and included in the PABD program. Transfusion outcome was compared with a group of patients that did not enter in the program during the same period. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included in the program during the analyzed period. Patients in the PABD program benefited from reduced exposure to allogeneic blood (Odds Ratio: 0.077, 95% confidence interval 0.043-0.140). However, 12.16% (n=18) of these patients received also allogeneic blood (total 40 red blood cell units). Univariate analysis showed the following parameters as significantly predictors of transfusion: inclusion in the program (p<0.000), number of levels fused (Odds Ratio: 1.143, p=0.010), and number of autologous red blood cells donated (Odds Ratio: 1.906, p<0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative autologous blood donation program designed in our hospital was effective for reducing allogeneic transfusion in mostly young patients under major elective spinal surgery. However and as expected, their inclusion in the program increased the risk to be transfused.

Chronic infections of the spine.

Chronic infections following posterior fusion are relatively uncommon. They develop in a previous asymptomatic patient at a distant time from the surgery. Chronic infections arise from direct inoculation or hematogenous seeding. To eradicate a chronic infection, the pathogens, biofilm, non-viable tissues, adherence on surfaces, and instrumentation must be removed. The appropriate antibiotherapy is used in a short (4 weeks) or long protocol (9 weeks). Some patients may need repeated surgeries (leaving the instrumentation in situ) to avoid progressive deformity or symptomatic pseudoarthrosis in cases of implant removal.

Pain and disability following fusion for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis: prevalence and associated factors.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective prognostic study. OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of pain following fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to identify factors associated with pain and disability. METHODS: From 126 consecutive patients surgically treated for scoliosis between 1997 and 2007, 104 (82.5%) completed SRS-22 and ODI questionnaires at a last follow-up (mean, 4.8 years; range 1-11.2 years). Prevalence of pain and disability were determined from SRS questions 1 and 9 respectively, with "any" pain or decrease in activity considered clinically significant. SRS Pain Domain Scores (PDS) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Most participants reported "no pain" (38.5%) or "mild pain" (30.8%) and 72.1% of participants reported a current work/school activity level of 100% normal. An association between instrument type and the presence of any pain in the previous 6 months was noted (P = .022). Instrument type was the only factor that was significantly associated with the PDS (P = .0052). CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of patients reporting no pain or mild pain may suggest overall success of the procedures. Although an association between instrument type and pain was seen, unmeasured factors that contributed to the decision of what instrument to use may confound the relationship. From these data a causal inference cannot be made.Final class of evidence-prognosisSTUDY DESIGNProspective CohortRetrospective Cohort•Case controlCase seriesMETHODSPatients at similar point in course of treatment•F/U ≥ 85%Similarity of treatment protocols for patient groupsPatients followed up long enough for outcomes to occur•Control for extraneous risk factors•*Overall class of evidenceIIIThe definiton of the different classes of evidence is available on page 55.*Potentially confounding factors were systematically explored and considered for stratified analysis as appropriate.

Beneficial effects of aerobic training in adolescent patients with moderate idiopathic scoliosis.

AIM AND METHODS: The major aim of this study was to determine whether after 6 weeks of aerobic training adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) girls who suffer from mild scoliotic curvatures (n = 6) behaved in a similar way than healthy controls (n = 6) in different biochemical, anthropometric, and cardio respiratory parameters. RESULTS: The maximal power output and the power output achieved at the anaerobic threshold (AT), during the maximal exercise test, were significantly increased in both experimental groups, when compared with resting conditions. The training program caused significant changes in body composition (i.e., a decrease in body fat %) only in the scoliotic group. Regarding the cardio respiratory measurements, VO(2max) was increased by 17% in AIS group and 10% in the healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that physical activity should be encouraged in scoliotic girls with mild curvatures.