[Radical debridement and single stage posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic-lumber tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the radical debridement and single stage posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

METHODS

From 1999 to 2004, 57 patients (29 males, 26 females) with spinal tuberculosis were operated at our department. The age range was 20 to 77 years old (mean: 39 years old). There were 30 cases of thoracic vertebra and 27 cases of lumbar vertebra. All the patients received a standard pre-operative 4 - 8-week anti-tuberculosis treatment.

RESULTS

The follow-up period ranged from 1 - 4 years and 95.9% of patients achieved an excellent outcome. Solid bony fusion was seen at last in all cases. The mean post-operative kyphosis angle reduced to 20 degrees from 32 degrees pre-operation.

CONCLUSION

Single stage anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation is curative for spinal tuberculosis.