Treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with anterior debridement,interbady auto-bone grafting fusion and internal fixation.

Objective To study the clinical outcome in treating the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with debridement,interbady auto-bone grafting fusion and internal fixation.Methods 24 patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were treated by anterior debridement of the diseased vertebrae,interbady auto-bone grafting fusion and internal fixation from Jan 2006 to Jan 2008.15 patients had spinal kyphosis deformity with Cobb′s angles of the thoracolumbar spine were ranged from 14°～39°(average of 21°).Their ESR ranged from 35～104mm/h.11 patients had lnparaplegia.All patients received anti-tubercolosis chemotherapy for 2～3 weeks before operation.Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy regularly was given for 10～12 months after surgery.Results All patients were followed up for 1.1～3 years(average 1.6 years).Their Lession were eliminated completely.The wound healed after surgery.The graft fused 5～8 months after surgery,11 paraplegia patients recovered completely 2～4 months postoperation and 15 cases with kyphosis was corrected partly,average of 16°.The ESR of these patients decreased to a nomal level 2.5to 4.5 months after surgery.Conclusion For patient with thoracalumbar spinal tuberculosis,anterior debridement with interbody auto-bone grafting fusion and internal fixation appears to be effective in correcting spinal kyphocis,recomstructing the stability of spine and improving clinical outcome.