Surgical treatment results of spinal tuberculosis with combined anterior and posterior approach

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is the presentation of the result of combined anterior and posterior approach and stabilization of unstable and destructive tuberculous infection of spinal column. The clinical and prospective study was performed on 15 cases of spinal tuberculosis. Six patients (40%) had involvement at the thoracic level (Distal to T5), two (13.3%) at the thoracolumbar and seven (46.7%) at the lumbar level. Of 14 patients with back pain, was relived after operation in 12 cases (85.7%). Kyphosis deformity was corrected in 9 patients (64.28%). A patient with paraplegia obtained complete function following operation. Six of eight patients with paraparesis obtained complete motor function. In 7 patients that obtained complete motor function after operation, the average duration of neurologic symptoms was 6 weeks before operation (ranging from 4 to 8 weeks). This time in patients with partial relief or non relief of motor function was 13.5 weeks (ranging from 11 to 16 weeks). Present findings show that in spinal tuberculosis that needs surgical intervention, combined anterior and posterior approach (with or without instrumentation) has reliable results.