# 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.

## Key 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.