Pulmonary function and thoracic deformities in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis 27 years or longer after spinal fusion with Harrington instrument

In AIS patients examined 27 years or longer after surgery, restrictive ventilation defects were observed in 27.7%. Factors aggravating %FVC were large rib humps and large vertebral rotations. Three-dimensional correction of the spine and thoracic cage deformities is vital in order to avoid pulmonary function impairment many years after surgery.