[The influence of kyphosis on lung function in young scoliotic patients (author's transl)]

By assessment of partial correlation in the field of lung function in kypho-scoliosis, the direct influence of kyphosis on the upward-shift of the mid-respiratory level (FRC% TLC) can be documented. It is shown that several other lung function parameters are dependent more or less on a change of volume balance in the deformed chest and, thus, indirectly on the degree of kyphosis. The degree of scoliosis which was the presenting symptom in our series, shows, of course, a highly significant direct correlation to vital capacity, which in itself is the source of changes in several other lung function parameters. The role of kyphosis in the development of lung function during therapy is being discussed.