Despite being one of the main drivers of patients’ satisfaction, the cosmetic appearance after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluated the self-perceived cosmetic outcomes following posterior spinal fusion in patients with AIS using the SRS-22 and Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS).

It is possible to highlight outcome differences before and after surgery, and to determine correlations between these self-image assessments and radiographic as well as implant-related parameters.

A multicenter retrospective analysis on data prospectively collected between February 2011 and November 2021. AIS patients requiring surgery and with a 1-year follow-up were included. Pre- and postoperative radiographic data, including Cobb angle, clavicle angle, pelvic and sacral obliquity, and thoracic kyphosis, were compared with patient-reported outcomes. Statistical analyses evaluated correlations between self-image subdomains and surgical outcomes.

Data from 123 patients were available (101 females, 22 males). Considerable improvements in cosmetic self-perception were observed postoperatively, with both TAPS and SRS-22r scores increasing one year after surgery. Coronal parameters such as major Cobb angle and clavicle angle were the primary drivers of preoperative self-image perception. In particular, the Cobb angle increased from 41.06 ± 33.29 ° in patients who did not perceive a back deformity to 65.86 ± 12.46 ° in patients who perceived a severe deformity (p = 0.009). Similarly, the clavicle angle increased from 0.31 ± 0.53 ° to 2.8 ± 2.49 ° (p = 0.02). Postoperative cosmetic appearance was correlated to implant density and thoracic kyphosis (T2–T5). Implant density decreased from 1.65 ± 0.3 to 1.47 ± 0.13 in patients with no perceived deformation and slight deformation of the back, respectively (p = 0.03); and from 1.65 ± 0.27 to 1.51 ± 0.15 in patients with no perceived deformation and slight deformation of the front, respectively (p = 0.04). The T2 – T5 kyphosis increased from 17.25 ± 9.36 ° to 38.72 ° (p = 0.05) in patients with poorer forward bending perception, and decreased from 26.61 ° to 19.9 ± 10.15 ° (p = 0.04) in patients with better cosmetic appearance in the SRS Q6.

Posterior fusion significantly enhances self-perceived trunk appearance in AIS patients. The coronal alignment has a more marked influence on preoperative cosmetic appearance, whereas postoperative sagittal alignment and implant density play a more critical roles in the postoperative self-image assessment.

III.