Impact of vertebral derotation on ventilatory function and chest circumference in adolescent scoliosis

Introduction Scoliosis has been associated with thoracic cavity alterations that impair pulmonary function. Correcting scoliotic deformity regains normal pulmonary function by maintaining respiratory and muscular efficiency. This study aims to compare pulmonary function and thoracic volume at baseline and after correcting the scoliosis deformity. Methods A total of 56 patients, 46 girls and 10 boys, were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A was treated with posterior correction, vertebral derotation, and a pulmonary rehabilitation program, while group B was treated with the same treatment given to group A without derotation. Evaluation of the measuring variables was carried out pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively, and three months after the operation. In addition, post-operatively, participants were treated with segmental breathing exercise training and incentive spirometry, 3 sessions per week for 3 months. Results A significant reduction in the Cobb angles, angles of rotation, and chest expansion was observed in both groups by comparing both initial and post-operative mean values, while a significant reduction was revealed in group A (<i>p</i> = 0.0001). The mean values of FEV1 and MVV immediately post-operatively showed a significant reduction in both groups, which was highly significant for group A. At three months post-operatively, both groups showed highly significant improvement (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Conclusions In addition to its beneficial effects on curve correction and the angle of rotation, the vertebral derotation technique impairs physiological and mechanical parameters immediately post-operatively. However, a beneficial effect was detected after three months of pulmonary rehabilitation in all parameters.