Summary of background
Controversy continues on the best decompression-reconstructive technique for treating tuberculous (TB) and traumatic spine disorders. Recently, the advantages of combined surgery could be successfully gained using one-stage salvage technique with enough accessibility to all three spinal columns.
Study design
and objectives This was a retrospective study of 50 patients with traumatic (28) and TB (22) disorders of thoracic and thoracolumbar spine treated by lateral extracavitary procedure.
Patients and methods
The two groups (traumatic and TB) were recruited between 2009 and 2012. Patients were examined perioperatively and followed up clinically for pain by visual analog scale; sensory and motor deficit by American Spine Injury Association grading; functionality by Oswestry disability index; and radiologically by kyphosis correction, loss of correction, and fusion time, as well as with laboratory investigations for TB patients. Operative time, hospital stay, blood loss, and complications were documented.
Results
Mean follow-up period was 36±5.5 months. Local symptoms were significantly relieved postoperatively. Deformity correction and neurological recovery significantly improved (<0.05). Solid interbody fusion was evident in 47 cases. Overall, three patients had superficial wound infection and three had intercostal neuralgia.
Conclusion
Lateral extracavitary technique is a feasible and effective tool for maintained deformity correction, bony fusion, thecal decompression, and functional improvement.