Patient satisfaction after scoliosis surgery

 Abstract Background: Patient satisfaction with the cosmetic result of spinal fusion surgery was studied in 40 cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Neutral or dissatisfied patients were compared with satisfied patients in several physical and psychological characteristics. The aim of the study was to determine whether adolescents generally report satisfaction with the postoperative appearance of their back after the correction of severe curves and whether preoperative medical and/or psychological factors could distinguish between patients who report satisfaction with the cosmetic surgical result from those who report neutrality or dissatisfaction. Previous reports emphasize the need for medical outcome research that evaluates both patient satisfaction and technical success. Patient satisfaction with spinal surgery has largely been evaluated in retrospective studies and most consistently is related to postoperative cosmesis and degree of curve correction. Methods: 40 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis without any comorbidity who were 10 years of age or older were studied preoperatively by physical and psychological measurements. Results: Of patients undergoing surgical correction of severe curves, 50% reported satisfaction with the cosmetic result. Neutral or dissatisfied patients were more likely to have a King II or King IV curve types and less correction than satisfied patients. Preoperative psychological difficulties (P< 0.05) and unmet expectations regarding postoperative cosmesis (P<0.05) were more common among neutral or dissatisfied patients. Conclusion: Most adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis expressed satisfaction with the cosmetic surgical result. Preoperative physical characteristics, psychological difficulties, and unrealistic expectations regarding postoperative cosmesis are associated with patient neutrality or dissatisfaction.