RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) revision surgeries and clinical information of hip-/knee- PJI cases nationwide from 2015 to 2017 in China. Methods: An epidemiological investigation. A self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling were used to survey 41 regional joint replacement centers nationwide from November 2018 to December 2019 in China. The PJI was diagnosed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Association criteria. Data of PJI patients were obtained by searching the inpatient database of each hospital. Questionnaire entries were extracted from the clinical records by specialist. Then the differences in rate of PJI revision surgery between hip- and knee- PJI revision cases were calculated and compared. Results: Total of 36 hospitals (87.8%) nationwide reported data on 99 791 hip and knee arthroplasties performed from 2015 to 2017, with 946 revisions due to PJI (0.96%). The overall hip-PJI revision rate was 0.99% (481/48 574), and it was 0.97% (135/13 963), 0.97% (153/15 730) and 1.07% (193/17 881) in of 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. The overall knee-PJI revision rate was 0.91% (465/51 271), and it was 0.90% (131/14 650), 0.88% (155/17 693) and 0.94% (179/18 982) in 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. Heilongjiang (2.2%, 40/1 805), Fujian (2.2%, 45/2 017), Jiangsu (2.1%, 85/3 899), Gansu (2.1%, 29/1 377), Chongqing (1.8%, 64/3 523) reported relatively high revision rates. Conclusions: The overall PJI revision rate in 34 hospitals nationwide from 2015 to 2017 is 0.96%. The hip-PJI revision rate is slightly higher than that in the knee-PJI. There are differences in revision rates among hospitals in different regions.
Assuntos
Artroplastia de Quadril , Artroplastia do Joelho , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese , Humanos , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/epidemiologia , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/diagnóstico , China/epidemiologia , Hospitais , Reoperação , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Objective: To investigate the microbiological test, antibiotic sensitivity and surgical treatment of periprosthetic joint infection(PJI) cases in post total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted on 318 patients who underwent THA or TKA in 9 clinical centers in Beijing from January 2014 to December 2016.The data of microbiology, antibiotic sensitivity and surgical treatment were collected.The average age of patients was (62.3±13.1) years old (range: 21-86 years old), including 145 males and 173 females.The body mass index was (25.6±3.8) kg/m (2) (range: 15.6-38.1 kg/m(2)). Results: In total, 318 patients had microorganisms detected by periprosthetic tissue culture or synovial fluid culture, 209 cases (65.7%) had Gram-positive bacteria, 29 cases (9.1%) had Gram-negative bacteria, 10 cases (3.1%) had fungi, 3 cases (0.9%) had non-tuberculous mycobacteria, 72 cases (22.6%) were negative, 69 cases (21.7%) had methicillin-resistant bacteria. The antibiotic sensitivity results showed that the overall resistance rate of penicillin, cefuroxime, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid was 79.9%, 69.9%, and 68.1%, respectively; meropenem, vancomycin, and linezolid resistance rate was 0. For the treatment methods of hip and knee PJI, two-stage revision surgery acounted for 72.9% (108/148) and 64.1% (109/170), respectively. One-stage revision surgery accounted for 21.6% (32/148) and 7.6% (13/170), and open debridement surgery accounted for 4.7%(7/148) and 26.4% (45/170). Conclusions: Gram-positive bacteria was still the main pathogen of PJI.The methicillin-resistant bacteria and rare bacteria should be payed attention to. The Majority of hip and knee PJI cases were treated by two-stage revision surgery.
Assuntos
Artroplastia de Quadril/efeitos adversos , Artroplastia do Joelho/efeitos adversos , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/microbiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Pequim , Estudos Transversais , Resistência Microbiana a Medicamentos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/etiologia , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/cirurgia , Reoperação , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Many factors contribute to a successful total knee arthroplasty, and postoperative coronal lower limb alignment has always been a focus of joint surgeons. Previous researches have suggested that neutral alignment can bring higher prosthesis survival rate and better knee function. However, the theory has been challenged in recent years.In this article, the author introduces the axis, alignment and osteotomy of total knee arthroplasty briefly and reviews the studies on the neutral alignment and kinematic alignment of recent years in order to provide some advice for the clinical operation.
Assuntos
Artroplastia do Joelho , Articulação do Joelho , Prótese do Joelho , Humanos , Articulação do Joelho/cirurgia , Perna (Membro)/anatomia & histologia , Perna (Membro)/cirurgia , Osteoartrite do Joelho/cirurgiaRESUMO
Betaine is a natural compound found in sugar beets that serves as a methyl donor and organic osmolyte when fed to animals. The objective was to evaluate the effect of feeding betaine-containing molasses on performance of transition dairy cows during late summer in 2 trials. In early September, cows were randomly assigned to betaine (BET) or control (CON) groups either shortly after dry off (trial 1; n = 10 per treatment) or 24 d before calving (trial 2; n = 8 per treatment) based on parity and previous mature equivalent milk yield. Cows were fed common diets supplemented either with a liquid supplement made of molasses from sugar cane and condensed beet solubles containing betaine [BET, 89.1 g/kg of dry matter (DM)] or a sugar cane molasses-based liquid supplement without betaine (CON) until 8 wk postpartum. The liquid supplements had similar nutrient contents and were fed at a rate of 1.1 and 1.4 kg DM/d for pre- and postpartum cows, respectively. Starting at their entry in the studies, cows were housed in the same freestall barn without a cooling system. After calving, all cows were housed in the same barn cooled by misters and fans and milked thrice daily. Intake was recorded daily and body weight and body condition score were assessed every 2 wk. Milk yield was recorded at each milking and composition was analyzed weekly. Blood samples were collected weekly from a subset of cows to assess concentrations of metabolites and AA. No treatment effects were apparent for DM intake and body weight in the prepartum and postpartum periods. For cows enrolled at dry off, BET supported higher milk yield (45.1 vs. 41.9 kg/d) and fat content (4.78 vs. 4.34%) and elevated plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation compared to CON. However, no differences were observed for milk yield, most milk component contents and yields, and blood metabolites between treatments for cows enrolled during the close-up period. Compared to cows in the CON group, BET cows enrolled during the far-off period tended to have lower plasma concentrations of Met, Thr, and Trp during the pre- and postpartum periods. They also had lower plasma concentrations of Lys and Phe before calving but higher plasma Gly concentration after parturition. In conclusion, feeding a betaine-containing liquid supplement from far-off through early lactation improves lactation performance but increases adipose tissue mobilization and production of ketone bodies in early lactation.
Assuntos
Betaína , Lactação , Animais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Bovinos , Dieta/veterinária , Suplementos Nutricionais , Feminino , Leite/metabolismo , Período Pós-PartoRESUMO
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in treating the hip joint involvement of Psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: From January 2005 to December 2016, a total of 15 PsA patients (20 hip joints) underwent THA in Department of Orthopaedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. All the patients had obvious restriction in daily life before operation. The mean Harris score was 25.2 averagely and the mean total range of the hip joint movement was 39.6° before surgery. All the prosthesis were biotype and ceramic to ceramic. Results: All patients were followed up with an average of 35.7 months and could take care of themselves. The Harris score of hip joint was 83.2 averagely, including 15 hips excellent, 3 good, and 2 passable, with an excellent and good rate of 90%. The mean total range of the hip joint movement was 175° after surgery. There was no infection, nerve injury or loosening of the prosthesis. 1 hip appeared avulsion fracture of greater trochanter of femur, and the joint function was satisfying at the last time of follow-up. Conclusion: THA is an effective method in treating affected hip joint of PsA. It can restore the hip function and improve the life quality of the PsA patients.
Assuntos
Artrite Psoriásica/cirurgia , Artroplastia de Quadril , Articulação do Quadril/cirurgia , Necrose da Cabeça do Fêmur , Seguimentos , Articulação do Quadril/patologia , Prótese de Quadril , Humanos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Preliminary studies suggest that maternal heat stress (HS) during late gestation exerts carryover effects on a calf's insulin response after weaning, but a comprehensive evaluation of how maternal HS affects calf intake, growth, and metabolic response from birth to weaning is lacking. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of maternal HS during the dry period on dry matter intake, growth, and metabolism from birth to weaning. After birth, 20 heifers born to either HS (n=10) or cooled (CL, n=10) dry cows were immediately separated from their dams and fed 3.8 L of colostrum from a common pool within 4h of birth. All heifers were managed identically and weaned at 49 d of age (DOA). Calf starter intake was recorded daily, and body weight was assessed at birth and every 2 wk from birth to 56 DOA. Blood samples were collected twice a week until 56 DOA to assess hematocrit and concentrations of insulin and metabolites. To evaluate metabolic responses to maternal HS, a glucose tolerance test, insulin, and epinephrine challenge were performed on 3 consecutive days for all heifers at 8, 29, and 57 DOA. Maternal HS during the dry period did not affect heifer birth weight. Compared with HS, CL calves consumed more starter (0.53 vs. 0.34kg/d) from birth to 56 DOA and were heavier (71.7 vs. 61.4kg) at 56 DOA. Relative to HS calves, CL calves tended to have higher hematocrit (27.4 vs. 24.7%). No differences were found between treatments in plasma concentrations of insulin and glucose, but HS calves had higher nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations after 32 DOA. Compared with CL, HS calves had a faster glucose clearance after a glucose tolerance test and a slower insulin clearance after an insulin challenge. In conclusion, maternal HS during late gestation reduces calf starter intake and growth, alters blood metabolite profile, and increases noninsulin-dependent glucose uptake.
Assuntos
Transtornos de Estresse por Calor/veterinária , Temperatura Alta , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/sangue , Ração Animal , Animais , Bovinos , Colostro , Dieta/veterinária , Feminino , DesmameRESUMO
Maternal heat stress alters immune function of the offspring, as well as metabolism and future lactational performance, but its effect on the hormonal and metabolic responses of the neonate immediately after birth is still not clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the blood profiles of hormones and metabolites of calves born to cows that were cooled (CL) or heat-stressed (HS) during the dry period. Within 2 h after birth, but before colostrum feeding, blood samples were collected from calves [18 bulls (HS: n=10; CL: n=8) and 20 heifers (HS: n=10; CL: n=10)] born to CL or HS dry cows, and hematocrit and plasma concentrations of total protein, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acid, and ß-hydroxybutyrate were measured. Compared with CL, HS calves had lower hematocrit and tended to have lower plasma concentrations of insulin, prolactin, and insulin-like growth factor-I. However, maternal heat stress had no effect on plasma levels of total protein, glucose, fatty acid, and ß-hydroxybutyrate immediately after birth. These results suggest that maternal heat stress desensitizes a calf's stress response and alters the fetal development by reducing the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I, prolactin, and insulin.
Assuntos
Animais Recém-Nascidos/metabolismo , Transtornos de Estresse por Calor/veterinária , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico , Animais , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/metabolismo , Colostro/imunologia , Feminino , Transtornos de Estresse por Calor/metabolismo , Temperatura Alta , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the influence factors of dislocation after bipolar prosthetic replacement. METHODS: A total of 374 patients who received bipolar prosthetic replacement in our hospital from October 2001 to October 2015 were retrospectively studied. The clinic data of patients with dislocation after operation was summarized to analyze the causes. RESULTS: Dislocation happened in 12 patients among all the 374 patients.10 cases received manual relocation, 2 cases open relocation. Most of the 12 patients were accompanied with neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, sequelae of cerebral infarction, etc. Some factors like improper body position caused by these complications were the main influence factors of dislocation. CONCLUSION: Accompanied with neurological and psychiatric disorders is the important influence factor of dislocation after bipolar prosthetic replacement.
Assuntos
Artroplastia de Quadril , Prótese de Quadril , Luxações Articulares , Humanos , Estudos RetrospectivosAssuntos
Bacteriemia/diagnóstico , Hemofilia B/patologia , Doenças Musculares/cirurgia , Adulto , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Bacteriemia/complicações , Bacteriemia/tratamento farmacológico , Fatores de Coagulação Sanguínea/uso terapêutico , Hemofilia B/complicações , Hemofilia B/tratamento farmacológico , Hemorragia/etiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Doenças Musculares/complicações , Doenças Musculares/diagnóstico , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
Membrane microparticles (MPs) are plasma membrane-derived vesicles shed by various types of activated or apoptotic cells including platelets, monocytes, endothelial cells, red blood cells, and granulocytes. MPs are being increasingly recognized as important regulators of cell-to-cell interactions. Recent evidences suggest they may play important functions not only in homeostasis but also in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases such as vascular diseases, cancer, infectious diseases and diabetes mellitus. Accordingly, inhibiting the production of MPs may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Here we review recent advances on the mechanism underlying the generation of MPs and the role of MPs in vascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and pathogen infection.
Assuntos
Micropartículas Derivadas de Células/fisiologia , Diabetes Mellitus/etiologia , Humanos , Infecções/etiologia , Inflamação/etiologia , Neoplasias/etiologia , Doenças Vasculares/etiologiaRESUMO
AIMS: The purpose of study is to evaluate the effect and complication of preoperative short-term daily recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) treatment for blood-saving in patients undergoing unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This three-arm randomized clinical trial compared three different rhEPO-based treatment protocols for unilateral primary TKA. Group A: application of daily doses of rhEPO combined with iron supplement starting 3 days before surgery; Group B: application of daily doses of rhEPO combined with iron supplement starting the day of surgery; Group C: iron supplement alone. Perioperative hemoglobin (Hb) level gaps, total perioperative blood loss, reticulocyte levels and treatment-related complications were studied. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were included (35, 35 and 32 patients in Groups A, B and C, respectively). Total blood loss (TBL) in Groups A, B and C was 490.84, 806.76 and 924.21 ml, respectively. Patients in Group A had a significant lower TBL than Groups B and C (A vs. B: P = 0.010; A vs. C: P < 0.001). There was no difference as for TBL between Groups B and C (P = 0.377). Group A patients had significant smaller Hb decline than Group C on the third and fifth postoperative day (P = 0.049, P = 0.037), as well as than Group B on the fifth postoperative day (P = 0.048). There was no difference as for Hb decline between Groups B and C. No difference was shown in levels of inflammatory biomarkers or blood-saving protocol-related complications among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Daily dose of rhEPO combined with iron supplement administered 3 days before TKA procedures could significantly decrease perioperative blood loss and improve postoperative Hb levels, without significantly elevating risks of complication, when compared with admission of rhEPO on the day of surgery and iron supplement alone. Preoperative daily rhEPO treatment could be a more effective blood-saving protocol in TKA procedures.
Assuntos
Artroplastia do Joelho , Eritropoetina/administração & dosagem , Ferro/administração & dosagem , Cuidados Pré-Operatórios , Proteínas Recombinantes/administração & dosagem , Idoso , Perda Sanguínea Cirúrgica/prevenção & controle , Suplementos Nutricionais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Objective: To study the orthopedic treatment strategy for hemophilia complicated with musculoskeletal disorders as well as the peri-operative consumption of clotting factor. Methods: Total 338 orthopedic surgeries were performed for 261 patients, average age of 30.6 y (6-65 y) , with hemophilia between January 1996 and December 2019 at our institute. Two hundred and twenty-six patients presented with bleeds within the joints. Sixty-one patients presented with intramuscular bleeds, 45 presented with hemophilic pseudotumors, and six presented with miscellaneous complaints. Strategy of clotting factor replacement therapy was designed as per differences in the level of the operation procedure. Information regarding clinical manifestation, operative strategy, clotting factor consumption, and re-operation for complications was retrospectively recorded. The costs for multiple joint procedure and single joint procedure were studied. Results: We found that 270 of the 338 surgical procedures were major surgical procedures (79.9%) . There were 203 procedures of joint arthroplasty (60%) . Fourteen patients underwent reoperations for local recurrence (4.2%) . The average factor â § consumption before the surgery was 44.4 ± 8.1 IU/kg. The average Fâ § consumption within postoperative 2 weeks was 40 962 IU (647±177 IU/kg) . Seven type A hemophilic patients developed F â § inhibitor following the surgical procedure, with an average level of 13.7±11.2 BU/mL. Sixty-eight patients underwent multiple joint procedures under one anesthesia session (26%) . There was no significant difference in the factor consumption between the multiple joint procedure and single joint procedure. Conclusions: Surgical treatment was found to be effective for hemophilic arthropathy and lesion of the musculoskeletal apparatus, with the clotting factor replacement therapy. Multiple joint procedures under one anesthesia were more cost effective for patients with hemophilia, with less factor consumption than staged single joint procedure.
Assuntos
Hemofilia A , Doenças Musculoesqueléticas/complicações , Adulto , Artrite , Fatores de Coagulação Sanguínea , Hemofilia A/complicações , Humanos , Manipulação Ortopédica , Estudos RetrospectivosAssuntos
Ossos da Mão/patologia , Hemofilia A/complicações , Neoplasias de Tecido Ósseo/complicações , Rádio (Anatomia)/patologia , Biópsia , Criança , Ossos da Mão/diagnóstico por imagem , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias de Tecido Ósseo/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de Tecido Ósseo/cirurgia , Rádio (Anatomia)/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the nares of patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery increases the potential risk of surgical site infections. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has gained recognition as a pathogen that is no longer only just a hospital-acquired pathogen. Patients positive for MRSA are associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality following infection. MRSA is commonly found in the nares, and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) is even more prevalent. Recently, studies have determined that screening for this pathogen prior to surgery and diminishing staphylococcal infections at the surgical site will dramatically reduce surgical site infections. A nasal mupirocin treatment is shown to significantly reduce the colonization of the pathogen. However, this treatment is expensive and is currently not available in China. Thus, in this study, we first sought to determine the prevalence of MSSA/MSRA in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery in northern China, and then, we treated the positive patients with a nasal povidone-iodine swab. Here, we demonstrate a successful reduction in the colonization of S. aureus. We propose that this treatment could serve as a cost-effective means of eradicating this pathogen in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery, which might reduce the rate of surgical site infections.
Assuntos
Anti-Infecciosos Locais/uso terapêutico , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/efeitos dos fármacos , Cavidade Nasal/microbiologia , Procedimentos Ortopédicos , Povidona-Iodo/uso terapêutico , Administração Intranasal , Adulto , Anti-Infecciosos Locais/economia , Antibioticoprofilaxia/economia , Antibioticoprofilaxia/métodos , China , Estudos Transversais , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos/economia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Cavidade Nasal/efeitos dos fármacos , Procedimentos Ortopédicos/economia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/prevenção & controle , Povidona-Iodo/economia , Estudos Prospectivos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Infecções Estafilocócicas/prevenção & controle , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
This article reports the effects of pure Astragalus preparation (PAP) in treating 115 cases of leucopenia. These cases were randomized and divided into two groups. Group I (58 cases) was treated by more concentrated PAP (every 10 ml equalled to 15 grams of Astragalus), Group II (57 cases) was treated by less concentrated PAP (every 10 ml equalled to 5 grams of Astragalus). The patients took the PAP twice a day, 10 ml each time. The course of treatment was 8 weeks for both groups. The results showed that effectiveness in Group I was 82.76%, while in Group II 47.37%, with a total effective rate of 65.22%, they were statistically different (P < 0.01). According to the comparison of average WBC counts after treatment, Group I was significantly higher than that of Group II (P < 0.05). There was an obvious rise of the WBC counts in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001). The results were dose-dependent. The author holds that Astragalus is an effective drug in treating leucopenia, and increasing the dosage could enhance its effectiveness.
Assuntos
Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/uso terapêutico , Leucopenia/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina M/sangue , Contagem de Leucócitos , Leucopenia/sangue , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the nares of patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery increases the potential risk of surgical site infections. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has gained recognition as a pathogen that is no longer only just a hospital-acquired pathogen. Patients positive for MRSA are associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality following infection. MRSA is commonly found in the nares, and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) is even more prevalent. Recently, studies have determined that screening for this pathogen prior to surgery and diminishing staphylococcal infections at the surgical site will dramatically reduce surgical site infections. A nasal mupirocin treatment is shown to significantly reduce the colonization of the pathogen. However, this treatment is expensive and is currently not available in China. Thus, in this study, we first sought to determine the prevalence of MSSA/MSRA in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery in northern China, and then, we treated the positive patients with a nasal povidone-iodine swab. Here, we demonstrate a successful reduction in the colonization of S. aureus. We propose that this treatment could serve as a cost-effective means of eradicating this pathogen in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery, which might reduce the rate of surgical site infections.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Povidona-Iodo/uso terapêutico , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos/economia , Procedimentos Ortopédicos/economia , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/efeitos dos fármacos , Anti-Infecciosos Locais/uso terapêutico , Cavidade Nasal/microbiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/prevenção & controle , Administração Intranasal , China , Estudos Transversais , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do Tratamento , Antibioticoprofilaxia/economia , Antibioticoprofilaxia/métodos , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Anti-Infecciosos Locais/economia , Cavidade Nasal/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study on the correlation between preoperative pulmonary function tests, preoperative pulmonary symptoms, and postoperative pulmonary complications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of immediate postoperative pulmonary complications and their correlation to pulmonary function tests, preoperative pulmonary symptoms, and surgical approaches. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The pulmonary function of patients with scoliosis is likely to be abnormal, whereas surgical procedures may lead to further deterioration and postoperative pulmonary complications. Evaluation of the pulmonary symptoms and pulmonary function before surgery is helpful to predict and avoid postoperative pulmonary complications by selecting the appropriate surgical approach. METHODS: This study reviewed 298 scoliosis patients (107 male, 191 female) who underwent anterior and/or posterior operation. The mean age of the patients was 16.4 years (range 6-62 years). The average coronal Cobb angle was 73.26 degrees (range 45-141 degrees). Preoperative pulmonary function tests of 115 cases were normal, whereas the other 183 cases were abnormal. Seventeen cases had preoperative pulmonary symptoms and 3 of them had normal preoperative pulmonary function tests. Seventy-nine cases received transthoracic surgery, and 19 cases had postoperative pulmonary complications, including postoperative ventilation support in 6 cases, atelectasis in 4 cases, hydrothorax in 2 cases, pneumothorax in 3 cases, pneumonia in 3 cases, and hypoxemia in 1 case. Of these 19 patients, 12 patients received anterior transthoracic procedure. When the patients with abnormal pulmonary function tests were divided into 3 groups: 1) 60% < or = forced vital capacity ratio < 80%; 2) 40% < or = forced vital capacity ratio < 60%; and 3) forced vital capacity ratio < 40%, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications were 2.72% (3 out of 110), 7.40% (4 out of 54) and 31.60% (6 out of 19), respectively. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between abnormal preoperative pulmonary function tests and preoperative pulmonary symptoms (P = 0.0086). No significant correlation was found between preoperative pulmonary symptoms and postoperative pulmonary complications (P = 0.5164). There was a trend that the postoperative complications increased with the deterioration of pulmonary function. The correlation between postoperative pulmonary complications and the surgical approach was statistically significant (P = 0.0000); the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complication of transthoracic procedure was 18 times as that of posterior approach. No significant difference was noted regarding ages, preoperative coronal Cobb angles, and preoperative pulmonary function between these 2 groups. There was no significant correlation between preoperative pulmonary symptoms and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with the deterioration of pulmonary function tests. The posterior procedure had a very low incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, but a transthoracic procedure increased the complications significantly. Preoperative pulmonary symptoms usually predicted abnormal results of pulmonary function tests but had no correlation with postoperative pulmonary complication.