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Pulmonary function may decline after spinal correction surgery
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Patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery demonstrated declines in pulmonary function later in life, according to recently published data.
The prospective, observational study included 164 patients who underwent surgery to correct a spinal deformity. Among the patients enrolled, 100 underwent primary surgery, and 64 underwent revision surgery. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years.
According to the study data, all patients saw significantly decreased pulmonary functions after their procedures. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decreased, on average, by 0.15 L, and forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased by 0.17 L. Additionally, the percent-predicted values declined significantly, with FEV1 declining by 5.3% and FVC by 5.7%, according to the researchers.
The researchers linked the amount of major curve correction in the surgery to the decrease in percent-predicted FVC and FEV1. It was also determined that patients with preexisting pulmonary impairment saw significant improvement in absolute and percent-predicted pulmonary function after surgery.
Patients saw improvement in percent-predicted FEV1 after surgery compared with those without preoperative impairment (2.7% vs. −6.2%), according to the researchers. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: Lehman has no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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