Background: To compare height-adjusted fat and fat-free mass components of body composition in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to young adolescents with eating disorders. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been linked with low bone densities. Animal and human studies have shown that bone densities are influenced by a wide variety of inter-related factors that includes body fat, oestrogen levels, nutritional status and energy balance. Anthropometric studies have reported girls with AIS as being taller and more slender than their age-matched peers and that they also exhibit complex patterns of body asymmetry, particularly in the upper limb. There are also some studies report eating disorders in this population.

Methods: Height-adjusted fat and fat-free mass components of body composition were examined. Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were calculated and normalised for height and were superimposed onto UK 1990 growth reference data. The data for left and right limb length was also compared. A sample of 325 girls with AIS referred to the specialist spinal unit in Liverpool during the period 1970–1990.

Results: The fat mass index and fat-free mass index were reduced in this sample of AIS subjects compared with normal reference children, but were similar to those diagnosed with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa). The cohort also exhibited significant upper limb asymmetry.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that this population has significantly low fat mass compared to normal, healthy reference values. Since fat mass reflects energy balance, nutritional status (possibly eating disorders) and is closely linked to endocrine function, the implications of reduced fat mass on growth, bone mass accretion and the aetiology of AIS merit further investigation.

Background: In times of blood shortage, the department of health plan to cancel elective surgery requiring more than 2 units of blood cross matching preoperatively. We assessed the use of blood products in scoliosis surgery and identified factors increasing the need for post operative blood transfusion.

Methods: Prospective data collection. Forty four patients underwent corrective spinal surgery between January 2003 and June 2004. Numbers of units of blood cross matched pre operatively and transfused post operatively were calculated. Subtype of scoliosis and surgical approach were also identified.

Results: All patients were cross matched 6 units of blood pre operatively, total of 264 units. Only 133 units were actually transfused, giving an overall 50.4 % product use rate. All syndromic patients were transfused blood irrespective of surgical approach. Idiopathic patients who had a one stage anterior approach did not require transfusion. Idiopathic patients were transfused a mean of 2.4 units and 2.9 units for one stage posterior and 2 stage approaches respectively. Syndromic patients were transfused a mean of 2.5 units, 5.8 units and 4.2 units for one stage anterior, one stage posterior and 2 stage procedures respectively.

Conclusion: The department of health published a paper on contingency planning for the shortage of blood products (1). In times of shortage, those surgeries requiring preoperative cross matching of more than 2 units will be cancelled first. Therefore, not only is it important to reduce the waste of blood products from a cost perspective, but also to cross match appropriately to avoid unnecessary cancellation if blood shortages occur. Surgical approach and underlying diagnosis need to be identified when cross matching patients for corrective scoliosis surgery. Idiopathic scoliosis patients only require 2 units of blood cross matching preoperatively. Patients with syndromes require 2–6 units depending on the surgical approach. A prospective validation trial has been implemented to validate our retrospective findings.