Study design: A prospective study on the clinical outcomes in patients with tuberculous spondylitis treated by a 2-stage operation (posterior and anterior) using posterior spinal instrumentation.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the 2-stage surgical treatment (first stage: placement of posterior instrumentation and second stage: anterior debridement and bone grafting) for tuberculous spondylitis.
Summary of background data: There have been few reports describing the effects of 2-stage surgical treatment for tuberculous spondylitis.
Methods: Ten patients (5 men and 5 women) with tuberculous spondylitis were treated by 2-stage operations. Age at the initial operation was 64.6+/-14.8 years (average+/-SD) (range: 47 to 83 y). The clinical outcomes were evaluated before and after the surgery in terms of hematologic examination, pain level, and neurologic status. Bone fusion and changes in sagittal alignment were examined radiographically.
Results: All patients showed suppression of infection, bony fusion, relief of pain, and recovery of neurologic function. No significant changes were observed in kyphosis angle at the final follow-up. There were no incidences of severe complications or recurrence.
Conclusions: Our results showed that posterior and anterior 2-stage surgical treatment for tuberculous spondylitis is a viable surgical option for cases in which conservative treatment has failed. However, the changes in sagittal alignment showed that this strategy provides limited kyphosis correction.