Operation of latero-anterior internal fixation by nail-stick and titanium mesh and bone graft for treatment of spinal tuberculosis with paraplegia

[Objective]To evaluate the effectiveness of the operation of latero-anterior internal fixation by nail-stick system and titanium mesh and bone graft for treatment of spinal tuberculosis with paraplegia.[Method]Fifty eight patients with spinal tuberculosis were treated by the operation of one-stage latero-anterior debridement,spinal cord decompression,titanium mesh and bone graft and internal fixation by nail-stick system,from Jan 2002 to Sep 2004.There were 32 males and 26 females and mean age was 38.5 years old(28 to 68 years old).All these tuberelosis patients had different symptoms and accompanied with local pain and spinal kyphosis deformity with Cobbs angles of the thoracolumbar spine were ranged from 18° to 50°(average of 36°).All patients received anti-tubercolosis chemotherapy for 2 to 4 weeks before operation.58 patients were constructed with titanium mesh and bone graft and internal fixation by nail-stick system.Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy regularly was given for over 1 year after surgery.[Result]All patients were followed-up for 20~48 months(average 28 months).Among 58 cases,34 were completely recovered(cure rate 58.62%),19 were partly recovered(cure rate 32.76%),total recovery rate was 91.38%.All patients showed successful autograft bone graft fusion.The average immediate postoperative correction of kyphosis angle was 30.4°,the average correction of kyphosis angle at the time of last follow-,up was 28.4°,the average loss of correction was only 2°.[Conclusion]Operation of anterior internal fixation by nail-stick and titanium mesh and bone graft for treatment of spinal tuberculosis with paraplegia can cure tuberculosis without recurrence and can also correct deformity,strengthen the spinal structure to prevent secondary paraplegia.