One-stage foci debridement for cervical tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of one-stage debridement for cervical tuberculosis at different segments.Methods Clinical data of 54 patients (male 20,female 34) with cervical tuberculosis treated by one-stage debridement from Jan 1998 to Dec 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.The average age of these patients was 45.4 years (range,26-75 years).Among them,12 cases were involved in single level (C2 1 case,C4 2 cases,C5 3 cases,C6 4 cases,C7 2 cases); 36 cases in the adjacent two levels (C1,2 3 cases,C2,3 2 cases,C3,4 5 cases,C4,5 6 cases,C5,6 14 cases,C6,7 5 cases,C7T1 1 case); 5 cases in three levels(C4 6 2 cases,C5-7 2 cases,C3,5,6 1 case)and 1 case in four levels (C4-7).Five cases were involved in other spinal levels (T6 1 case,T 3 cases,L3,4 1 case).Comorbidity of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was found in 1 case.Before surgery,the mean VAS and JOA scores were 5.9 (range,4-9) and 10.5 (range,7-12) respectively and the mean Cobb angle of lesion segment was 26.7°± 9.1°.All cases underwent regular anti-TB treatment preoperatively,and surgical treatment were performed when blood sedimentation (ESR) was lower than 50 mm/1 h.According to the segmental involvement,different surgical approaches were performed including anterior debridement with anterior or anterior-posterior internal fixation and fusion,submandibular approach debridement with posterior occipital cervical fusion or atlantoaxial fusion.Results Mean follow-up duration was 27.3 months (range,13-52 months).Symptoms were improved significantly in all cases.Mean time of union was 3.2 months (range,2-4 months).At the last follow-up,the mean VAS and JOA scores were 5.9 (range,4-9)and 10.5 (range,7-12) respectively,and the mean Cobb angle of lesion segment was 6.8°.Regular anti-TB treatment was performed postoperatively for 18 to 20 months.Intraoperative esophageal injury was found in one case of upper cervical tuberculosis which was cured uneventfully after gastrointestinal tubation for 1 week.No cervical tuberculosis recurrence,graft loosening or pseudarthrosis was found in follow-up.Conclusion With preoperative anti-TB treatment,cervical tuberculosis can be treated by one-stage foci debridement according to the segmental involvement and deformity.Postoperative regular anti-TB treatment is a crucial factor for the final recovery of cervical tuberculosis. Key words: Cervical vertebrae; Tuberculosis; Surgical procedures, operative