Objective: To explore the clinical effects of one-stage posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation combined with anterior debridement and bone grafting with modified inverted L-shape incision by extraperitoneal approach in treating multiple lumbosacral tuberculosis.
Methods: The clinical data of 15 patients with multiple lumbosacral tuberculosis underwent operation from February 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 6 females with an average of (47.0±13.9) years old. The lesions involved L₄-S₁ in 12 cases, L₄-S₂ in 1 case, L₃-S₁ in 2 cases. Five cases complicated with nerve root symptoms and 2 cases with cauda equina symptoms. All patients were treated with posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation combined with anterior L₄,₅, L₅S₁ debridement and bone grafting with modified inverted L-shape incision by extraperitoneal approach. Operation time, blood loss, incision length, first passage of gas by anus were recorded. The condition of bone fusion and focus absorption were observed by lumbar CT and MRI; and ESR and CRP were regularly rechecked.
Results: Fifteen patients were followed up for 18-24 months with an average of (20.0±2.73) months. All lumbosacral pain obtained improvement, and no hardware loosening, breaking, or bone graft block loosening was found. The operative time of anterior-posterior approach surgery was 210-250 min with an average of (231.0±12.1) min; the blood loss was 320-705 ml with an average of(495.0±130.3) ml; the incision length was 15-21 cm with an average of (16.4±3.4) cm, and the extended length of inverted L-shape incision was 6 to 9 cm with an average of (7.1±2.6) cm. The time of first passage of gas by anus was 14 to 40 h with an average of (24.1±7.4) h after operation. All bone graft obtained fusion at final follow-up, and spinal cord symptoms got recovery, ESR and CRP restored normal level with no recurred at 3 months after drug withdrawal.
Conclusions: The treatment of multiple lumbosacral tuberculosis with posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation combined with anterior debridement and bone fusion with modified inverted L-shape incision by extraperitoneal approach is feasible and practical. This method has advantages of little trauma, good exposure, less complications and high security.
Keywords: Debridement; Extraperitoneal approach; Internal fixation; Tuberculosis, spinal.