Aim:To provide a comparison of the posterior surgery alone versus the combined anterior and posterior surgery in the management of tuberculosis of the spine.
Material and Methods:: Patients who were operated with a diagnosis of spine tuberculosis were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 31 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups: group A (posterior surgery alone) and group B (combined anterior and posterior surgery). Both groups were compared in terms of invasiveness of the procedures, spinal deformity, fusion, neurological status, and postoperative complications.
Results:Group A included 16 patients (the mean age: 56 years; range: 29 to 75) with a mean follow-up of 29 months (range 12 to 60). Group B included 15 patients (the mean age: 60 years; range: 35 to 73) with a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 12 to 60). In the invasiveness of the procedures, the average operation time and the mean length of hospitalization were shorter, and the mean blood loss was less in group A (p<0.05). The bone fusion was obtained at 10.5 ± 2.1 months in group A and 9.3 ± 3.1 months in group B postoperatively. When compared each group, fusion time was longer in group A (p<0.05). All patients with neurological deficit had returned to normal during the postoperative period. Regarding postoperative complications, no significant difference was observed between two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion:The posterior surgery alone seems to be an influential treatment method, and the combined anterior-posterior surgery may be unessential for treatment of spinal tuberculosis.