Anterior debridement bone graft fusion and posterior fixation in treatment of intervertebral infection

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical outcome with anterior debridement, bone graft and posterior internal fixation with short nail of treating intervertebral infection. Methods Ninteen cases (11 male and 8 female, aged from 34 to 63, 46 on average) of lumbar intervertebral space infection treated in our hospital from June 2008 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. These infections occurred at L2-L3 in 2 cases, L3-L4 in 5 cases, L4-L5 in 8 cases and L5-S1 in 4 cases. All patients had history of disc surgery or puncture. The clinical outcome after operation was analyzed according to the low back paine after operation which analyzed by visual analog scale (VAS), and the bone fusion. Erythrocyte sedimentation rata and C-reactionprotein were aslo recorded before and after surgery. Results All cases were followed up, average 24 months. The lower back pain was improved obviously between preoperation and postoperation(P<0.05). Also erythrocyte sedimentation rata and C-reactionprotein returned to normal after the operation and all cases had complete bone union at the end of follow-up with no instrument failure noted. Conclusion Anterior debridement, bone graft and posterior internal fixation with short nail in of treating intervertebral infection not only can effectively reconstruct the stability of the spine, but also retain range of motion segment of spine. Key words: Lumbar vertebrae; Infection, intervertebral space; Fusion; Internal fixation