Objective To investigate the effectiveness of radical debridement, reconstruction with bone allograft, and pedicle screw-rod internal fixation via combined anterior and posterior approach in the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis. Methods Between January 2005 and May 2010, 16 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated. Radical debridement wasperformed via extraperitoneal approach, then tricortical il iac bone allograft was placed and pedicle screw-rod internal fixation was used to reconstruct the spinal column. There were 12 males and 4 females aged 38-65 years (mean, 48 years). The disease duration ranged from 6 to 24 months (mean, 10 months). The main cl inical symptom was persistent pain in lumbosacral area. The involved segments included L4, 5 (3 cases), L5, S1 (8 cases), and L4-S1 (5 cases). The lumbosacral angle was 18-32° (mean, 22°). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 15-55 mm/1 hour (mean, 25 mm/1 hour). All the patients were given antituberculosis chemotherapy for 12 months after operation. Results The operation time was 120-240 minutes (mean, 180 minutes). The amount of bleeding was 300-600 mL (mean, 420 mL). All wounds healed by first intention, and no relative compl ication occurred. All 16 cases were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 16 months). No recurrence occurred and ESR recovered to normal. Persistent pain in lumbosacral area and radicular pain in lower extremities disappeared. The X-ray films demonstrated that bony fusion was obtained in all patients at 8-12 months postoperatively. The lumbosacral angle was 16-31° (mean, 21°) at last follow-up. Conclusion The extraperitoneal approach can provide direct and safe access to the lesion. The structural il iac bone allograft and posterior instrumentation could reconstruct effectively the stabil ity of the lumbosacral junction.
Objective To study the cl inical effects of modified Galveston technology in the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis. Methods From January 2001 to May 2008, 19 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated, including13 males and 6 females aged 21-58 years old (average 38 years old). The course of disease was 8-22 months. The tuberculosis was at the L4-S1 level in 3 cases, the L5, S1 level in 10 cases, the L5-S2 level in 5 cases, and the S1, 2 level in 1 case. Seven cases were compl icated with neural symptom of the lower l imbs, 3 cases of them were grade C and 4 cases were grade D according to the Frankel scale of nerve function. The preoperative JOA score of lower back pain was 5-22 (average 19). Six cases were compl icated with il iac abscess, 3 cases with psoas abscess, 3 cases with sacroil iac joint tuberculosis, and 2 cases with pulmonary tuberculosis. For 12 patients, the operation of modified Galveston internal fixation via the posterior approach, focus debridement via vertebral canal, and interbody fusion with autogeneous il iac bone fragment grafting was performed; for 7 cases, the operation of modified Galveston internal fixation via the posterior approach, vertebral lamina fusion with autogeneous il iac bone fragment grafting, and anterior focus debridement was performed. Results The incision of 18 cases was healed by first intention, and 1 case had sinus 3 weeks after operation and healed 3 months after operation. Nineteen patients were followed up for 12-82 months (average 21 months). There was no recurrence of the local tuberculosis, and the common toxic symptom of tuberculosis disappeared 6-12 months after operation. All the patients achieved bony fusion 4-6 months postoperatively, and 3 patients with sacroil iac joint tuberculosis achieved sacroil iac joint fusion. For those 7 patients with combinations of the neural symptomof the lower l imbs, the symptoms disappeared and their Frankel scales were improved to grade E. The JOA score of low back pain at the final follow-up was 22-29 (average 26). There was a significant difference between preoperation and postoperation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The modified Galveston technology is helpful to reconstruct the stabil ity of lumbosacral vertebrae, improve bony fusion rate, reduce the postoperative in-bed time.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of stage I anterior approach debridement and autologous iliac crest graft with single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation for the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis. MethodsSeven cases of lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated by stage I anterior approach debridement, autologous iliac crest graft, and single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation between February 2010 and October 2014. There were 5 males and 2 females, aged 18-65 years (mean, 41.6 years). The disease duration was 5-21 months (mean, 8 months). The patients had signs and symptoms of pain in lumbosacral region, radiating pain in unilateral lower limb or bilateral lower limbs, decreased muscular strength and disorders of superficial sensation. According to Frankel classification for spinal injury, 1 case was rated as grade C, 3 cases as grade D, and 3 cases as grade E. Preoperative imaging examination suggested L5, S1 lesions in line with the manifestations of tuberculosis; the lumbosacral angle was 16.4-28.5° (mean, 18.6°). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 28-105 mm/1 hour (mean, 61 mm/1 hour). All patients received 4-drug antituberculosis therapy. ResultsAll patients underwent the operation successfully and all incisions healed at stage I, without relevant complication. All patients were followed up 14-70 months (mean, 25.6 months). All symptoms of tuberculosis disappeared and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate returned to normal. At last follow-up, Frankel classification was returned to E from D in 3 cases, returned to D from C in 1 case. Two cases suffered from pains in the lumbosacral region and at the donor site, 1 case suffered from upper abdominal discomfort and poor appetite,but these symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. At last follow-up, X-ray examination indicated that the lumbosacral angle was 23.4-34.2° (mean, 28.6°). According to Bridwell criteria, 5 cases gained grade I bone fusion, and 2 cases gained grade II bone fusion, without migration of bone graft, or loosening or breakage of titanium plate or bolt. ConclusionStage I anterior approach debridement and autologous iliac crest graft with single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation is safe and effective in treating lumbosacral tuberculosis. It can achieve good bone fusion and stable lumbosacral stability, and maintain good deformity correction.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of one-stage posterior surgery via unilateral musculussacrospinalis iliac flap approach in treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis.MethodsBetween August 2011 and October 2014, 13 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated by one-stage posterior reserved posterior ligament complex, lesion debridement, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation via unilateral musculussacrospinalis iliac flap approach. There were 8 males and 5 females, aged from 22 to 57 years, with an average age of 35 years. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 19 months, with an average of 6.7 months. According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification criteria, the patients were graded as grade B in 2 cases, grade C in 4 cases, grade D in 5 cases, and grade E in 2 cases before operation. The preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) was 36.4±5.7; the preoperative lumbosacral angle was (20.7±0.7)°; the preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was (63.4±8.4) mm/1 h; and the preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) was (38.8±5.2) mmol/L. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The ODI, ASIA grade, lumbosacral angle, and ESR were recorded at last follow-up. Bridwell criterion was used to judge the interbody fusion.ResultsThe operation time was 150-240 minutes (mean, 190 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 420-850 mL (mean, 610 mL). No major blood vessel, dural sac, nerve root, and lumbosacral plexus injuries occurred during the operation. Delayed wound healing occurred in 3 cases, and primary wound healing achieved in the other patients. No wound infection or sinus formation was found. All 13 patients were followed up 1.5-6.1 years (mean, 2.8 years). During the follow-up period, there was no tubercular symptom, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, loosening and rupture of internal fixator; and no complications such as retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction occurred in 8 male patients. Solid spinal fusion obtained in all patients with the mean fusion time of 6.4 months (range, 4.2-9.9 months); and all iliac osteotomies healed. At last follow-up, the ODI was 7.2±3.5, the lumbosacral angle was (31.2±0.5)°, and ESR was (9.8±2.5) mm/1 h, all of which improved significantly when compared with pre-operative ones (P<0.05). The patients were classified as grade D in 2 cases and grade E in 11 cases, which improved significantly when compared with preoperative ones (Z=–3.168, P=0.002).ConclusionOne-stage posterior surgery via unilateral musculussacrospinalis iliac flap approach in treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis is effective and safe.