OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical measurements and principles in the treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 232 cases of previously treated thoracic or thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis in recent 7 years were retrospective analyzed. Preoperative assessments were as follows: Cobb angles of kyphosis: < 30° (n = 65), 30 - 60° (n = 147) and > 60° (n = 20); Frankel B (n = 13), C (n = 12), D (n = 41) and E (n = 166). Forty-eight cases were performed with one-stage transpedicular screw system and anterolateral debridement by single incision, 184 cases with one-stage anterior approach (debridement, fusion and plate-screw fixation) routinely. The tissues and liquor paris debrided from focus were sent for pathology, Bacillus tuberculosis detection and culture, and drug sensitivity test. The patients were given anti-tuberculosis therapy according to the results of drug sensitivity test for 1 - 1.5 years. The follow-up parameters included relapse rate, fusion of bone graft, the status of neurological restoring and kyphosis correction. RESULTS: All 232 cases recovered from perioperation and 230 cases achieved primary wound healing. Two cases undergoing single incision one-stage posterior instrumentation and anterolateral debridement were complicated with wound healing and sinus formation. There was delayed healed by changing dressings. The complications included intercostals neuralgia (n = 135) and pneumothorax or hydrothorax requiring no special measure (n = 13). The follow-up period ranged from 1.0 to 4.5 years old (mean: 2.6). There was no recurrence within the follow-up period and bone union was found in all cases. All 66 cases with neurological deficits recovered partially or totally. Kyphosis correction was achieved by 27.5° on average postoperatively and showed a mild loss of 4.2° on average during the follow-up period. All cases were confirmed pathologically as Bacillus tuberculosis infection. Bacillus tuberculosis was detected and cultured successfully in 107 cases (46.1%). Forty strains (37.4%) were drug resistant among which 8 strains (7.5%) was multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSION: For the patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis, directional chemotherapy, one-stage anterior approach with thorough debridement, auto-rib or Ti-mesh fusion and plate-screw fixation may be the first-line therapy.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical measurements and principles in the treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 232 cases of previously treated thoracic or thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis in recent 7 years were retrospective analyzed. Preoperative assessments were as follows: Cobb angles of kyphosis: < 30° (n = 65), 30 - 60° (n = 147) and > 60° (n = 20); Frankel B (n = 13), C (n = 12), D (n = 41) and E (n = 166). Forty-eight cases were performed with one-stage transpedicular screw system and anterolateral debridement by single incision, 184 cases with one-stage anterior approach (debridement, fusion and plate-screw fixation) routinely. The tissues and liquor paris debrided from focus were sent for pathology, Bacillus tuberculosis detection and culture, and drug sensitivity test. The patients were given anti-tuberculosis therapy according to the results of drug sensitivity test for 1 - 1.5 years. The follow-up parameters included relapse rate, fusion of bone graft, the status of neurological restoring and kyphosis correction. RESULTS: All 232 cases recovered from perioperation and 230 cases achieved primary wound healing. Two cases undergoing single incision one-stage posterior instrumentation and anterolateral debridement were complicated with wound healing and sinus formation. There was delayed healed by changing dressings. The complications included intercostals neuralgia (n = 135) and pneumothorax or hydrothorax requiring no special measure (n = 13). The follow-up period ranged from 1.0 to 4.5 years old (mean: 2.6). There was no recurrence within the follow-up period and bone union was found in all cases. All 66 cases with neurological deficits recovered partially or totally. Kyphosis correction was achieved by 27.5° on average postoperatively and showed a mild loss of 4.2° on average during the follow-up period. All cases were confirmed pathologically as Bacillus tuberculosis infection. Bacillus tuberculosis was detected and cultured successfully in 107 cases (46.1%). Forty strains (37.4%) were drug resistant among which 8 strains (7.5%) was multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSION: For the patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis, directional chemotherapy, one-stage anterior approach with thorough debridement, auto-rib or Ti-mesh fusion and plate-screw fixation may be the first-line therapy.