The Impact of Surgical Correction of Neuromuscular Scoliosis on Respiratory Muscle Function in Individuals with Spinal Muscular Atrophy—Preliminary Report

TL;DR

This study examines how surgical correction of scoliosis affects respiratory muscle function in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy, finding that it helps maintain muscle strength.

Contribution

The study provides preliminary evidence that surgical correction of scoliosis in SMA patients preserves respiratory muscle strength.

Findings

Respiratory muscle strength did not deteriorate after surgical correction of scoliosis in SMA patients.

Maximal expiratory pressure slightly decreased immediately after surgery but showed partial recovery by three months.

Maximal inspiratory pressure increased three months after surgery compared to pre-surgery levels.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this prospective longitudinal observational study was to assess respiratory muscle function after surgical correction of scoliosis in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Material: The study included 20 patients (aged 7–19) with scoliosis in the course of neuromuscular disease, eligible for surgical treatment with diagnosed SMA Type 2 or 3. Methods: Measurements were taken of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) [cmH2O] and the maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) [cmH2O] in all patients immediately before surgical correction of scoliosis (measurement I), 7 days after surgery (measurement II) and 3 months after surgery (measurement III). Results: The mean Cobb angle of spinal curvature measured before surgery in the entire group was 102.57 ± 17.96. The mean MEP values in the entire group of patients were 40.48 ± 11.76 cmH2O before surgery, 36.74 ± 17.17 cmH2O after 7 days, and 39.17 ± 16.18 cmH2O 3 months after surgery. The MIP values for the entire group were 64.35 ± 28.40 cmH2O before surgery, 53.96 ± 28.66 cmH2O after 7 days, and 67.00 ± 31.27 cmH2O after 3 months. Conclusions: Surgical correction of spinal curvature creates conditions for maintaining respiratory muscle strength in patients with SMA over a period of several months of observation. As a result of the surgical intervention, respiratory muscle strength did not deteriorate, but even slightly increased.

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