Treatment of Severe Congenital Scoliosis with Type ІI Respiratory Failure

Abstract

We report a case of a 14-year girl with severe congenital scoliosis (CS) and type ІІ respiratory failure (RF), who underwent preoperative halo-gravity traction in combination with intraoperative orthopaedic surgery on the spine based on the results of physical examination, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), computed tomography (CT), and blood gas analysis. The patient's coronal and sagittal Cobb's angles changed from 100° to 45° and 40°, respectively, and RF changed from type ІІ to type І after treatment. Scoliosis was corrected well, and RF was improved. During follow-up for nearly 3 years, no loss of deformity correction and no serious complications occurred, and the patient showed a good clinical outcome and balanced spine.

Effects of spinal deformities on lung development in children: a review

“…However, there is strong evidence indicating that interactions between the growth of the spine and the progression of spinal deformities can alter/influence the size and shape of the ribcage [ 73 ]. Respiratory failure is the leading cause of high mortality in untreated scoliosis, not only due to extrinsic impairment of chest wall function but also intrinsic factors related to alveolar dysplasia [ 74 ]. In recent years, the focus has shifted from the spine to consideration of the spine, chest wall and lungs in combination, as treatments for spinal thoracic deformities.…”