LATERAL CAVITATORY APPROACH WITH CIRCUMSPINAL DECOMPRESSION IN TUBERCULOUS SPONDYLITIS: A 5YR FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis has been managed with various modalities of treatment ranging from only antituberculous drugs to radical surgical extirpation. Opinion is divided on management of Potts Paraplegia with respect to surgical approach to the lesion. Results are conflicting on anterior verses posterior approaches as well combined approach. There is also confusion on to when to do anterior first or to operate from posterior first, in combined approaches. In the present study we present 10 year follow-up of our results, clinical and radiological outcomes, of Single stage Circumspinal decompression and pedicle screw fixation through lateral extracavitatory approach with anterior and posterior spinal fusion in cases of Pott's paraplegia. Methods:The study was a retrospective and prospective follow up of 30 patients with active tuberculosis of thoracolumbar spine with neurological deficit, who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation with lateral extra cavitatory approach with circumspinal decompression and pedicle screw instrumentation. Diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was made by laboratory findings such as anaemia, elevated ESR, radiological features with typical MR imaging findings. 8 patients had multilevel involvement. Kyphosis of 250 to 550 was present. Circumspinal decompression, correction of kyphosis, anterior and posterior spinal fusion was performed in a single stage. The average follow up was 7.67 years (92 months). Results: The mean kyphosis angle improved from 320 preoperatively to 80 in early follow up, followed by a minor loss of correction of 30. Neurological recovery occurred in 28 patients out of 30 patients. 15 patients recovered from Asia A to AIS E. 13 patients recovered to ASIA D. The visual analog scale and ASIA grade improved in all the cases. Implant failure in the form of rod breakage was seen in 1 patient but with no neurological complications. Conclusion: Drainage of abscess, debridement by extracavitatory route constitutes a less demanding, relatively safe, minimally traumatic operative technique with adequate circumspinal decompression of spinal cord, correction and maintenance of sagittal balance with relatively less morbidity is the added advantage.