Recovery of Pulmonary Function Following Endoscopic Anterior Scoliosis Correction: Evaluation at 3, 6, 12, and 24 Months After Surgery

Abstract Study Design: A series of scoliosis patients undergoing endoscopic anterior instrumentation and fusion undertaking repeated pulmonary function assessments. Objectives: To assess the recovery of pulmonary function in the 2 years following endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction. Summary of Background Data: Recent studies have found that pulmonary function returns to preoperative levels 12-24 months following endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction, and a small improvement in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) has also been reported. Methods: A series of 44 patients with endoscopic anterior scoliosis correction cases had pulmonary function tests before surgery, and at 3,6,12 and 24 months after surgery. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and total lung capacity (TLC) were measured. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used to investigate changes in pulmonary function between successive assessments. Results: Pulmonary function decreased by approximately 10% at 3 months post-surgery. At 24 months after surgery, FVC and FE V1 recovered to 5-8% higher than preoperative levels, while TLC returned to preoperative levels. Statistically significant improvements in most pulmonary function values occur between 3-6 months and 6-12 months. Improvements in mean FVC, FEV1 and TLC continue between 12 and 24 months, although only the increase in absolute FVC in this time period is statistically significant. Conclusions: Endoscopic anterior scoliosis surgery has no lasting negative effect on pulmonary function, and with prolonged follow up, pulmonary capacity improves beyond preoperative levels.