Single-stage anterior debridement and fibular allograft implantation followed by posterior instrumentation for complicated infectious spondylitis: report of 20 cases and review of the literature.

Complicated infectious spondylitis is an infrequent infection with severe spinal destruction, and is indicated for combined anterior and posterior surgeries. Staged debridement and subsequent reconstruction is advocated in the literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcome of patients who underwent single-stage combined anterior debridement and fibular allograft implantation followed by supplemental posterior fixation for complicated infectious spondylitis. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 20 patients who underwent single-stage combined anterior and posterior surgeries for complicated infectious spondylitis from January 2005 to December 2010. Complicated infectious spondylitis was defined as at least 1 vertebral osteomyelitis with pathological fracture or severe bony destruction and adjacent discitis, based on imaging studies. The severity of the neurological status was evaluated using the Frankel scale. The clinical outcomes were assessed by careful physical examination and regular serological tests to determine the visual analog scale (VAS) score and Macnab criteria. Correction of the sagittal Cobb angle on radiography was also compared before and after surgery. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze patient surgical prognosis and radiological findings. All patients with complicated infectious spondylitis were successfully treated by single-stage combined anterior and posterior surgeries. No patients experienced neurologic deterioration. The average VAS score was 7.8 before surgery and significantly decreased to 2.1 at discharge. Three patients had excellent outcomes and 17 had good outcomes, based on Macnab criteria. The average length of the allograft for reconstruction was 64.0 mm. Kyphotic deformity improved in all patients, with an average correction angle of 13.4°. There was no implant breakage or allograft dislodgement during at least 36 months of follow-up. Single-stage anterior debridement and fibular allograft implantation followed by posterior pedicle screw instrumentation provide immediate stability, satisfactory alignment, and successful infection control. Fibular allograft implantation seems to be a good alternative for anterior reconstruction; it can proceed to bony incorporation and avoids donor site morbidity.