Obese adolescents have equal risks and equal correction chances after surgery of scoliosis when compared to their normal weight peers

A new study by Upasani et al. of University of California concluded that being an overweight adolescent (Body Mass Index >or=85%) does not affect the ability to achieve coronal or sagittal scoliotic deformity correction, and does not increase perioperative morbidity or mortality rates. Overweight adolescents, however, have a greater thoracic kyphosis before surgery compared with their healthy weight peers.
The study consisted of a retrospective analysis of deformity correction surgeries. Two hundred forty-one patients (204 women, 37 men; 14.3 +/- 2.0 years) with a minimum of 2-year follow-up were included in this study.
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally. In adults, it was showed that obesity increased the likelihood of developing multiple medical comorbidities and has been associated with an increased incidence of perioperative complications. Upasani et al's study was the first showing the effect of obesity on surgical outcomes in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

(Excerpted from: Upasani VV, Caltoum C, Petcharaporn M, Bastrom T, Pawelek J, Marks M, Betz RR, Lenke LG, Newton PO. Spine. 2008 Feb 1;33(3):295-300).