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.