Krödel A, Krüger A, Lohscheidt K, Pfahler M, Refior H J
Orthopaedic Department of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Klinikum Grosshadern, München, Germany.
J Spinal Disord. 1999 Feb;12(1):17-26.
To simplify and shorten the rehabilitation after anterior debridement and fusion in pyogenic and tuberculous osteomyelitis of the spine, the role of additional extrafocal dorsal transpedicular instrumentation was studied. Thirty-three (10 female, 23 male) patients were followed up in a prospective study and controlled with an average follow-up period of 22.1 months after the operation with clinical and neurologic check-up, blood test, and serial radiographs. Solid bony fusion and healing of the infection was achieved in all patients. Preoperative deformities could be corrected, and there were no life-threatening complications. Dorsal extrafocal stabilization offered the advantage of braceless rehabilitation without adding unpredictable risks.
