DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i08.057

Pages: 3282-3287

Respiratory function of patients with spinal deformities is likely to be abnormal and treatment is a surgical challenge in the presence of deranged pulmonary function. Halo-pelvic traction is a valuable alternative in these cases for correction of deformity. We studied the effect of halo-pelvic traction on pulmonary function in patients with spinal deformities to seek any improvement in PFT with correction of deformity. Thirty patients with severe scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis undergoing surgical treatment with halo-pelvic traction, anterior release or posterior fusion were prospectively evaluated with pulmonary function tests assessing volume (forced vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second). The PFT were noted pre-operatively as well as post-operatively after removal of halo-pelvic traction along-with demographic and other curve characteristics. The mean pre –operative FVC was 1.56 ± 0.58 L and % of predicted valve was 66.2±26% (12 – 112%) while Pre-op FEV1 was 60.38±21.3% with range 10-90%. The post operative FVC was1.67± 0.67 L while % of the predicted value was 70.59±26.6% (15-123%). The post operative FEV1 % of predicted value was improved to 64.35±21.9% with range12-105%. The difference between per-op FVC% and post –op FVC was 4.4±5.58% (range -11 to 20%) and FEV1 % was 3.97±4.9 % (range -9.5 to 16.8%). There was no major pulmonary complication peri-operatively in any of the patient. PFT in a patient with spinal deformity varies according to cobbs angle and level of apex vertebra. Pre- operative PFT were important predictors of post-operative PFT. Post-operatively there is improvement of pulmonary functions and it also depends upon degree of correction and the approach of surgery.