Effects of magnetically controlled growing rods surgery on pulmonary function in young subjects with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 and other neuromuscular scoliosis.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of magnetically controlled growing rods surgery (MCGRS) of the scoliosis on pulmonary function in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.

METHODS

Seven patients, 85.7% female (mean±SD age: 6.7±1.2 years), with neuromuscular scoliosis (4 SMA II, 2 congenital myopathies and 1 VACTER syndrome), received MCGRS of the spine in the thoraco-lumbar area. The outcome measures were clinical features and pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in 1st second [FEV1], were collected. All measures were collected at pre-, post-intervention and follow-up (short-term [0-6 months], mid-term [7-12 months], and long-term [13-24 months]).

RESULTS

MCGRS reduced Cobb angle after intervention in 100% in subjects and this result was maintained at 24-month follow-up (all, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in FVC or FEV1 between preoperative and each postoperative period, (P>0.05). Analyses of the correlation coefficients indicated no significant associations between changes in pulmonary function and scoliosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study found that MCGRS addressed to the scoliosis maintained pulmonary function during long-term follow-up; However, pulmonary function was not associated with scoiosis in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.