# IMPACT ON PULMONARY FUNCTION AFTER SPINAL FUSION IN CONGENITAL SCOLIOSIS

## TL;DR

This study compared long-term pulmonary function outcomes after two types of spinal fusion surgeries in congenital scoliosis patients, finding no significant differences between the groups.

## Contribution

The study provides long-term (over 15 years) comparative data on pulmonary function after different spinal fusion techniques in congenital scoliosis.

## Key findings

- No significant differences in pulmonary function (FVC and FEV1) were found between the two surgical groups.
- Radiographic variables like Cobb angle and thoracic kyphosis showed no significant differences between groups.
- Results were consistent over an average follow-up of 17 years.

## Abstract

To evaluate the effect, in long-term postoperative follow-up (more than 15 years), of combined spinal fusion (anterior and posterior) and only posterior on the pulmonary function of patients with congenital scoliosis.

Case series with five patients, operated on from 03/1997 to 12/2009, groups: dual approach with anterior arthrodesis through thoracotomy versus only posterior arthrodesis. Data processed in SPSS 20.0. Comparison of means (Student's t-test and Anova, or Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn) with p = 0.05.

There was no difference in the absolute and predicted percentage values of pulmonary function FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) and FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second), Cobb of the main thoracic curve and thoracic kyphosis between the groups, in the preoperative and last follow-up (p>0.05).

There were no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function parameters between the groups, after an average follow-up of 17 years, and there were also no significant differences in relation to the radiographic variables evaluated.
Level of evidence IV; Serie Cases.