What impact does spinal deformity correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis make on quality of life?

: Literature review.

: To identify scientifically sound studies that have reported changes in quality of life (QOL) after spinal deformity correction in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to discuss these findings.

: Few studies have been published. Most are retrospective cohort studies and lack both preoperative and postoperative data for the outcome in terms of QOL.

: A review of existing literature with the emphasis on spinal fusion for AIS and outcome as measured by health-related QOL was performed.

: Thirteen studies of various quality were found after reviewing the papers. Only 3 of them contained both preoperative and postoperative data on QOL, using the SRS-22/-24. They all reported a statistically significant improvement in some of the domain scores. The clinical implications of these findings are unclear, as the minimal clinically important differences for SRS-22/-24 have not yet been established.

: Weak evidence (Level IV) exists in the literature that spinal deformity correction for AIS does not significantly impact QOL in short-term or mid-term. The interpretation of this must be that there were no serious adverse events after surgery.