Clinical Analysis Of Posterior Anterolateral Decompression And Debridement For Thoracic Tuberculosis

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and advantages of posterior anterolateraldebridement,intervertebral bone graft, and internal fixation for thoracic tuberculosis.Methods: From February2010to February2012,fifteen patients with thoracictuberculosis were treated by posterior spinal canal wall resection(including frame,transverse process, pedicle and small joints, vertebral plate lateral1/2), anterolateral focusdebridement with decompression, intervertebral bone graft support (autologous rib, ortitanium cage), pedicle screw fixation.There were10males and5females with an averageage of32.4years. The lesions were located at thoracic,single vertebrae was affected in2cases,two in9cases,three in3cases,four in one case. The cases were all associated withkyphosis deformity with an average Cobb angle of32°±8.9°(range,18°-50°).Mildneurological function deficiency (Frankel Grade C or D) were present in4patients.Results: The average follow-up time was16months,all incisions were healed upprimarily. One screw pulling out and bone graft slightly sinking were found in one caseafter6months when reviewed. No loosening and breakage of internal fixation were foundin other cases,and no local recurrence occurred.The kyphosis deformity was correctedmean28°.Conclusion: Posterior anterolateral decompression has a good clinical effectiveness forthoracic tuberculosis with full decompression and complete focal cleaning, combined withtranspedicle fixation, can satisfied the surgical need of one-stage anterior interbodyautografting and the rear fixing,restoring the spinal sequence,correcting kyphosisdeformity.