Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Neuromuscular Scoliosis Surgery on Nutritional Metabolism

Sponsor: University Hospital, Montpellier

Summary

Cerebral palsy is the primary cause of disability in France. It is a non-progressive condition leading to movement and posture troubles, but also to cognitive and sensory problems. Spasticity is one of the most regular consequences. It leads to a muscular failure with permanent contractions. Muscular dysfunction can generate scoliosis (in 60% of cases). Scoliosis can lead to pain, sitting difficulties (with chances of bedsores), and cardiopulmonary complications. These children often have cachexia (eating difficulties, trouble with deglutition). It leads to a weakening of their immune defenses, which favors post-operative infections, a weakening of their respiratory muscles, and circulatory difficulties with negative effects on scarring. Cachexia is a pessimistic prognosis. A back brace can be used to contain the scoliosis but never cures it. Another option for treating this affection would be surgery. Surgery is another treatment. It consists in straightening and holding the spine with metal rods, held by vertebral anchors placed at both ends of the scoliosis. Surgery is the gold standard. Surgery induces risks such as bleeding, healing complications and infection. The probability to face complications increases with malnutrition. The first hypothesis is that surgery could improve the nutrients intakes and the weight of the patient. The investigators also believe that it could improve the patient's body composition (body fat and lean mass) and their basic metabolic rate. The third hypothesis is that surgery-involved changes (nutrition enhancement, sitting improvement, decrease of respiratory work) could lead to an improvement of the patient's quality and life and respiratory functions. The SORONOUS project aim to prove the benefits of this surgery from a nutritional and from a general point of view in order to help make the surgical decision and avoid any care delay. In addition, it aim to identify and quantify the post-operative weight gain; while providing us with a better understanding of the behavior of pre-operative cachexia among these patients.

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