Lung functions after correction of scoliosis angle

Background: In this study we evaluated lung volumes, volume changes relative to Cobb angle and correlation of volume changes with Cobb angle changes before and after the surgery. Materials and Methods: Eighteen non-smoker patients with idiopathic scoliosis were included in this descriptive observational study. Cobb angle, lung volume and flow were measured before and after the surgery. To assess height and weight changes during the follow-up period, we used the percent relative to normal (percent predicted) instead of absolute volumes. Results: Eighteen of 30 selected patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 34.5â� 19.6 months. Dynamic volume changes of lung were: VC= -13.4 SD=8.6 (p<0.005); FVC=-9.22 SD=14 (p<0.001); FEV1=9.8 SD=15 (p<0.001). There was a weak correlation between the mean value of dynamic volume changes and the mean changes in Cobb angle after the surgery. There was a weak correlation between Cobb angle and dynamic volume of lung before the surgery. Conclusion: In this study there was a significant decrement of dynamic lung volumes after corrective surgery for thoracic curve scoliosis. © 2008 NRITLD, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Iran

Does early tetralogy of Fallot total correction give better final lung volumes?

Background: Pulmonary blood flow may affect lung development in adulthood. Early total correction of tetralogy of Fallot may affect development of final lung volumes. We evaluated the effect of age at total correction on lung volumes years after the operation. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study on patients with totally corrected tetralogy of Fallot (mean age, 13.40 years at the time of follow-up), forced vital capacity, slow vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and other parameters were measured 154.8±46.25 months after the operation. Comparison were made of 3 groups: �2-, 2-8-, and >8-years old at the time of total correction surgery. Results: Among 322 enrolled patients, the mean values of the follow-up spirometry results in �2-, 2-8-, >8-year-olds and the percentage of predicted values were respectively: vital capacity: 4.46±0.57 L (107±10.96), 3.89±0.58 L (91.10±12.25), 3.25±0.48 L (82.35±10.62), p<0.001; forced vital capacity: 4.28-0.63 L (95.90±18.77), 3.76±0.58 L (90.83±12.52), 3.14±0.49 L (83.26±11.71), p<0.001; forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 4.22±0.63 L (104.84±13.64), 3.66±0.58 L (90.61±12.59), 3.02±0.48 L (84.31±12), p<0.001. Conclusion: Early correction of defects or reestablishments of perfusion of tetralogy of Fallot before completion of lung development might improve final adulthood lung volumes and capacities. It is better to consider total correction for all tetralogy of Fallot patients below 2-years old, or at least below 8-years old, if it is technically possible. © 2012 The Author(s)