Lung Volumes in Scoliosis Before and After Correction by the Harrington Instrumentation Method

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Abstract
Vital capacity, total lung capacity, functional residual capacity and residual volume were measured 1 wk before surgery in 92 scoliotic patients; 87 of the patients had idiopathic scoliosis and 5 had paralytic scoliosis resulting from poliomyelitis. There were 83 females and 9 males, aged 10-25 yr. The angle of curvature was measured and the patients were treated by the Harrington instrument method. Postoperatively (18 mo.) the respiratory factors recorded pre-operatively were measured again. A significant increase, averaging 10%, was observed in all static volumes. Pre- and postoperative values were expressed in percent of predicted normal values according to age and height. Correction of body height was considered in the prediction of normal values. Patients with the more advanced scoliosis had the greatest improvement in lung volumes. Postoperatively the patients were treated with a Milwaukee brace for an average of 15 mo. Correction of idiopathic scoliosis by the standard posterior fusion with Harrington instrumentation together with the postoperative routine produced a lasting reduction of the spinal deformity, prevented progression of respiratory impairment and increased lung volumes, vital capacity, total lung capacity and functional residual capacity by an average of 10%.

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