Posterior fixation, anterior debridement and bone grafting in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis in children younger than 3 years of age.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting in treating children younger than 3 years of age with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 16 young children with thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis. Surgical data were recorded. Frankel Grade was used to assess neurological function. The regional kyphosis angle was measured to evaluate the deformity correction. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected to assess the activity of tuberculosis. Bony fusion and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 204.4 ± 41.8 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 126.3 ± 94.4 ml. Preoperative Frankel Grade results indicated five patients with Grade C, six with Grade D, and five with Grade E. At the final follow-up, all patients were in Grade E. Twelve patients were brought back to normal spinal alignment and the rest four patients remained kyphotic. There was an improvement of 29.3° ± 18.3° in regional kyphotic angle postoperatively. And the deformity correction was 27.4° ± 19.1° at the final follow-up. ESR and CRP decreased to a normal range at three months follow-up. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients. None of the cases developed fixation failure, pseudoarthrosis, or tuberculosis recurrence. CONCLUSION: Posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting, is a safe and effective surgical strategy for treating young children with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

One-stage surgical management for cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis by anterior debridement, reconstruction, and instrumentation: a single-center experience.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment is an effective strategy for cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis (CPS). However, the optimal surgical approach is uncertain. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of debridement, reconstruction, and instrumentation via the anterior-only approach for CPS. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of patients with CPS who underwent one-stage anterior debridement, reconstruction, and instrumentation from January 2013 to December 2022. The surgical duration and blood loss volume were analyzed. The Frankel grading classification was used to evaluate the improvement in neurological function. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were used to evaluate neck pain and functional recovery. The radiological parameters of regional lordosis angle (RLA) and C2-C7 Cobb angle were used to evaluate the recovery of cervical alignment. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated to assess the control of infection. RESULTS: Totally, 32 patients were eligible. The surgical duration was 118.9 ± 14.3 minutes, and the blood loss volume was 88.4 ± 42.7 mL. Significant improvements in the Frankel grading were observed in patients with neurological deficit. The VAS and JOA scores significantly improved postoperatively and during follow-up (P < 0.01). The RLA significantly increased from 4.0° ± 6.6° preoperatively to 8.4° ± 5.8° at the final follow-up (P < 0.01). The C2-C7 Cobb angle increased from 11.1° ± 7.1° preoperatively to 13.8° ± 7.2° at the final follow-up (P < 0.01). Bony fusion occurred in all patients. CRP and ESR significantly decreased postoperatively and returned to normal during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage debridement, reconstruction, and instrumentation via the anterior approach is an effective surgical strategy for CPS. In addition to surgery, targeted and prolonged antibiotic therapy is of crucial importance.

Application of cement-augmented pedicle screws in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management of elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis is challenging. Cement-augmented pedicle screws (CAPS) have been specifically designed for elderly patients with osteoporotic spines. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of CAPS applied in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis between January 2017 and January 2021. Surgical data, including surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss, were recorded. Radiological parameters, such as correction of regional kyphotic angle and screw loosening, were also evaluated. Additionally, visual analog scores (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate back pain and functional recovery, respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were detected to assess tuberculosis activity. The presence of complications and fusion rate was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were included in this study. The surgical duration was 263.0 ± 56.2 min, with an average blood loss of 378.7 ± 237.0 ml. The correction of regional kyphotic angle was 12.4° ± 15.0°, and it was well maintained until the final follow-up. The mean VAS decreased from 6.0 ± 1.2 points to 0.5 ± 0.6 points, and ODI reduced from 37.8% ± 7.6% to 8.3% ± 2.8% (P < 0.01). At the final follow-up, ESR and CRP levels were within normal range. Bony fusion occurred in all patients, with an average fusion duration of 8.8 ± 1.5 months. No cases of pedicle screw pullout, screw loosening, or pseudoarthrosis occurred. Tuberculosis recurrence and dissemination were not observed during the follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: CAPS fixation is an effective and safe technique to achieve solid fixation and favorable clinical outcomes in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis.