Pulmonary function in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Two groups of patients, with an average age of 15 years, have been studied to establish the improvement in pulmonary function after surgical correction in relation to the amount of correction achieved. The first group of 33 patients were treated surgically; an average Cobb angle of 72 degrees was reduced to 32.6 degrees. The second group of 30 patients with an average Cobb angle of 33 degrees were not operated on. Results of tests undertaken have shown that pulmonary function was improved by surgical correction, but the improvement does not match the degree of correction achieved. Statistical analysis of the two groups shows a difference in cardiopulmonary function to the advantage of those who were not operated on. This suggests that there is partial irreversibility of ventilation and perfusion in those who are treated surgically.