Objectives The effects of spinal surgery on lung function and quality of life (QoL) are important patient outcomes. Long-term follow-up of lung function and QoL in those undergoing combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion (A/PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is poorly documented with only one study extending beyond 2 years, though available evidence points to a decrement in lung function. Our study evaluated long-term change in lung function and QoL following A/PSF for AIS.

Design Prospective cohort study.

Patients Patients with AIS.

Setting Tertiary paediatric respiratory centre and national spinal service.

Design Spirometry was performed along with QoL (Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire). Paired t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare pre-A/PSF and post-A/PSF data.

Results Data were available for 12 patients (9 female) who underwent A/PSF at mean 13.8 (range 11.8–15) years. Mean follow-up was undertaken 5.8 (range 4.1–6.8) years postoperatively. Height increased from mean (SD) 169 (9) cm preoperatively to 175 (5) cm at follow-up (p<0.01). Scoliosis corrected from 100 (15)° to 29 (11)° (p<0.001). Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s was −3.4 (1.4) z scores preoperatively versus −3.3 (1) z scores postoperatively (p=0.85); and forced vital capacity was −3.4 (1.7) ) z scores pre-A/PSF and −3.4 (1.1) z scores post-A/PSF (p=0.83). SRS-22 scores improved mean (SD) of 3.6 (0.3) preoperatively to 4.2 (0.3) at 2 years postoperatively, and 4.4 (0.4) at 6 year follow-up (p<0.001, analysis of variance). High patient satisfaction rates (4.8 (0.3)) were recorded. No correlation was noted between changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r=−0.15, p=0.63) or forced vital capacity (r=−0.12, p=0.71) and change in long-term SRS-22 score.

Conclusions Long-term follow-up of patients with AIS suggests no deficit in pulmonary function, while QoL shows incremental improvement and patient satisfaction is high over 6 years after A/PSF.