Right anterior intropleural approach, primary autografting and internal fixation for the treatment of upper thoracic tuberculosis with neurological deficits

Objective To investigate the effects of surgical management for upper thoracic tuberculosis with neurological deficits using primary bone grafting and internal fixation through right anterior intrapleural approach. Methods In this study, 6 cases of upper thoracic tuberculosis were admitted to our hospital from January 1999 to June 2002, of which 3 cases were male and 3 female. The age ranged from 26 to 48 years, and the period from the onset of the symptom to hospitalization was 12 months to 24 months. Clinical features included thoracic and back pain, kyphosis and neurological deficits. The kyphosis angle ranged from 15 to 30 degrees. One case involved T3 to T5, 4 cases involved T4,5, and 1 case involved T3 to T6. Neurological deficits were evaluated by ASIA score system. The results showed that there were 5 cases in C grade, and 1 case in D grade. MRI showed compression of dura in all cases, and abscess inside the vertebral canal in 2 cases and outer abscess in 4 cases. All were treated with primary debridement, decompression, interbody autografting and internal fixation of K shape plate or Ventrofix by right anterior intrapleural approach. The antituberculous treatment and nutritional supplement were also performed routinely during the perioperative period. Results During the follow-up period of an average 21 months, all cases healed without any recurrence and complications such as infection, respiratory failure and so on. The thoracic and back pain disappeared and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decreased to a normal level. All neurological deficits recovered within 3 months, 4 cases of which recovered at 4 weeks after operation. Spinal fusion occurred after 3 to 8 months after operation, and sixteen degrees of kyphosis correction was achieved. Conclusion It is a safe and effective method to use right anterior intropleural approach, primary autografting and internal fixation in the management of upper thoracic tuberculosis associated with neurological deficits.