Anterior debridement and reconstruction via thoracoscopy-assisted mini-open approach for the treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis: minimum 5-year follow-up

Introduction  

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been developed for surgical treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis to overcome the problems associated with a formal thoracotomy. VATS, however, is technically demanding with a difficult learning curve.     

The role of posterior instrumentation and fusion after anterior radical debridement and fusion in the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis: experience of 127 cases

Long periods of immobilization, progressive kyphosis and graft failure are the major postoperative problems encountered after anterior radical surgical treatment for tuberculosis of the spine. Posterior fusion and instrumentation can be an effective solution for these problems. Effectiveness of posterior fusion and instrumentation was investigated in this study on the basis of the cases with anterior procedure only, and with combined anterior-posterior procedures. One hundred twenty-seven cases of tuberculosis of the spine were surgically treated between 1987 and 1995. All had either 1 or more of conditions such as spinal cord compression and neurological deficit, vertebral body collapse and kyphosis, or wide paravertebral abscess unresponsive to medical treatment. Of these, 57 had only anterior radical procedure between the years 1987 and 1993. Seventy cases had posterior instrumentation and fusion after the anterior procedure between the years 1991 and 1995. In about two third of the patients (81) autogenous iliac strut graft and in one third of them (40) autogenous fibular strut graft (cases with more than 2 level involvement) was used along with rib grafts after debridement. Twenty-one of the 57 patients who had only anterior procedure demonstrated a postoperative increase of kyphosis of more than 10 degrees. Increased kyphosis was due to graft slippage in 3, resorption in 2 and subsidence in 16 patients. No such increase or graft failure was noted in cases of combined anterior-posterior procedure. The difference in terms of kyphosis was found to be statistically significant (P=0.047). Anterior radical debridement and strut graft is the golden standard in the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis, but it should always be accompanied by posterior instrumentation and fusion to shorten the immobilization period and hospital stay, obtain good and long lasting correction of kyphosis, and prevent further collapse and graft failure.     

单纯后路术式与单纯前路术式治疗成人胸椎及胸腰段结核5年以上疗效分析

[目的]对比分析单纯后路术式与单纯前路术式治疗成人活动性胸椎及胸腰段结核5年以上随访结果,探讨单纯后路术式的中长期疗效。[方法]回顾性分析158例成人活动性胸椎及胸腰段结核病例,其中107例行单纯后路病灶清除椎间植骨融合椎弓根螺钉钛棒内固定术(A组);51例行单纯前路病灶清除椎间植骨融合钉棒/板内固定术(B组)。再将A、B组分为两个亚组:A1组(62例)、B1组(26例)为胸椎结核组(T3~10);A2组(45例)、B2组(25例)为胸腰段结核组(T11~L2)。对比分析A、B组患者手术时间、术中出血量、VAS评分、功能恢复满意度、并发症等。计算A1、A2、B1、B2组后凸矫正率、矫正角度丢失度数并分别进行统计学分析。[结果]A组手术时间、术中出血量、总的并发症发生率均低于B组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A1、A2组矫正率均优于B1、B2组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。B1、B2组矫正角度丢失度数均大于A1、A2组,且B2组与A2组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]单纯后路术式治疗胸椎及胸腰段成人脊柱结核,中长期随访结果显示疗效良好;单纯后路术式在手术手术时间,术中出血量,后凸畸形矫正率,后凸角丢失度数,并发症发生率等方面优于单纯前路术式。     

Outcomes of radical debridement versus no debridement for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis

Purpose

Whether radical debridement is necessary for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis is still questionable. The objective of this prospective randomized study was to compare the outcomes of radical debridement versus no debridement for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

Methods

Seventy-four thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis patients with a neurological function of grade D and E underwent surgery and received the same chemotherapy regiment from January 2009 to October 2014. All patients were divided into group A and B by taking the drawing of lots. In group A, radical debridement, bone graft, and instrumentation were performed. Isolated posterior instrumentation without debridement were performed in group B. The operative time, blood loss, visual analogue score (VAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), kyphotic angle, Frankel grading, fusion rate, and complications were evaluated.

Results

Group B had a better clinical outcome with regard to the operative time, blood loss, VAS score first week post-operatively, and the ESR value in the third and sixth month post-operatively than group A, and the differences between the two groups about those values all presented a significant difference (P?<?0.05). However, no difference was observed between the two groups for the kyphotic angle (P?=?0.088) and fusion rate (P?=?0.164) at the final follow-up. Neurological function of all cases exhibited normal neurological function in the two groups at the final follow-up. Two cases of pulmonary infection and four cases of wound infection in group A. No serious complications were observed in group B.

Conclusions

Isolated posterior instrumentation without debridement is a suitable treatment for selected patients because of minor surgical trauma, fewer complications, and spontaneous fusion.

     

胸椎结核外科治疗的长期临床随访

目的回顾性分析胸椎结核的外科治疗及疗效,探讨手术入路、内固定的选择、术后及远期并发症的原因及对策。方法 1997年4月～2010年4月收治胸椎结核患者107例。病灶位于上段胸椎10例,中段胸椎46例,下段胸椎51例。结核病灶累及单节段64例,2个节段21例,≥3个节段22例。开胸入路65例,胸腹膜外入路22例,单纯后路9例,前后联合入路11例。使用内固定61例,单纯病灶清除植骨融合46例。从治愈率、内固定并发症及神经功能恢复等方面进行长期随访。结果 89例获得1.0～13.8年随访,平均7.6年,87例达到了临床治愈,复发2例。内固定断裂2例,螺钉松动3例。结论前路一期病灶清除、植骨融合结合内固定是胸椎结核外科治疗的主要手段,手术入路、内固定应用应当根据病灶节段、患者年龄、病灶特点及稳定性等因素个性化选择,可有效减少术后并发症发生,提高疗效。     

经脊柱前路病灶清除植骨一期前路内固定术治疗脊柱结核

目的探讨经前路病灶清除植骨一期前路内固定术治疗脊柱结核的临床疗效及经验。方法对123例脊柱结核患者,男71例,女52例;年龄20～86岁,平均39岁。经3～4周正规抗痨治疗后行病变椎体次全切除(或全切除)及周边脓肿、死骨、肉芽组织及干酪样物等结核病灶清除,椎间大块髂骨植骨,一期前路内固定术,术后继续抗结核治疗1～1.5年。结果123例术后除2例死亡外121例获随访8个月～5年,平均21个月。2例脊柱结核复发。9例植骨未愈合(包括感染、复发、死亡病例),植骨融合率为92.7%,植骨愈合时间3～8个月,平均5个月。脊柱后凸畸形较术前平均矫正70.1%,脊柱高度较术前增高15～30mm,平均19mm。94例有椎管狭窄者患椎椎管狭窄率较术前减少65.4%。术后并发手术切口感染形成慢性窦道、脊柱侧凸、内固定钢板松动各2例,气胸肺不张3例,并发ARDS、急性心肌梗死死亡各1例。其中34例多节段脊柱结核和10例既往术后结核复发者全部治愈,除前者1例植骨未愈合外,其余植骨全部融合。26例截瘫患者肢体神经功能术前FrankA级5例、B级11例、C级10例;术后FrankA级3例、B级3例、C级2例、D级8例、E级10例。结论经前路病灶清除植骨一期前路内固定术治疗脊柱结核能彻底清除结核病灶,对脊髓及神经根彻底进行减压,促进脊髓及神经功能恢复,矫正脊柱后凸畸形,同时一期建立和恢复脊柱的连续性和稳定性,促进脊柱植骨融合,提高了脊柱结核的治愈率。     

一期前路病灶清除植骨内固定治疗脊柱结核

目的探讨经前路病灶清除植骨一期前路内固定术治疗脊柱结核的临床效果。方法对43例脊柱结核患者,行前路病灶彻底清除、椎间植骨、一期前路内固定术。结果脊柱结核复发2例（4.7%）,植骨不融合3例（7.0%）。植骨融合时间3～8个月。脊柱后凸畸形平均矫正70.2%±11.4%。11例截瘫患者神经功能Frankel分级术后恢复情况：术前A级3例术后恢复至B级1例、2例无恢复;B级5例恢复至C级1例、D级2例、E级1例、1例无恢复;C级3例恢复至D级1例、E级2例。结论经前路病灶清除植骨一期前路内固定术治疗脊柱结核能彻底清除结核病灶,充分减压,矫正脊柱后凸畸形,提高脊柱结核的治愈率。     

单纯后路减压病灶清除内固定治疗伴神经损害的胸椎结核

【摘要】 目的 比较小切口椎旁肌间隙入路和传统开放式入路行腰椎后路融合术的临床疗效。 方法 2008~2009年,22例患者行腰椎后路融合术,小切口椎旁肌间隙入路方式12例,传统手术入路方式10例。患者均随访1年。记录手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、术前术后疼痛视觉模拟量表(visual analog scale, VAS)评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index, ODI）评分及腰椎MRI所示的多裂肌横截面面积。 结果 2组间各项观察指标比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。小切口椎旁肌间隙入路患者手术前后L4/L5/S1各平面的多裂肌面积差异无统计学意义,传统入路手术前后的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。 结论 小切口椎旁肌间隙入路可明显减少对多裂肌的损伤,有利于患者术后的恢复。     

单纯后路减压病灶清除内固定治疗伴神经损害的胸椎结核

目的评价一期后路减压、病灶清除并椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗伴有神经损害的胸椎结核的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2001年1月～2011年12月收治的病灶单发、位于胸椎且伴有神经损害的脊柱结核患者共22例,行一期后路减压、病灶清除并椎弓根螺钉内固定。术前神经功能Frankel分级B级2例,C级6例,D级14例。记录手术时间、术中出血量、术前术后神经功能改善情况及临床结核治疗情况。结果术后平均随访24.7个月,治愈率95.5%,神经功能改善率81.8%,术后神经功能与术前相比差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论一期后路减压、病灶清除并椎弓根螺钉内固定对于合并有神经损害的胸椎结核患者是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

The role of surgical timing in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis

Purpose

To determine the outcome and safety of surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in patients without obvious clinical and laboratory improvement after preoperative short-time chemotherapy.

Methods

Data of 86 patients with single-level thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis, treated by one-stage posterior instrumentation combined with anterior radical debridement and fusion, were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on the results of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after preoperative 2-week chemotherapy. Surgical outcome and prognosis were compared between the two groups.

Results

After antituberculous chemotherapy for 2 weeks, the ESR did not decrease or even increase in 57 patients (group A), but decreased in 29 patients (group B). However, the ESR decreased gradually after surgery and returned to a normal level at the final follow-up in both groups. Between group A and B, no significant difference was observed in pain improvement (6.3 ± 1.4, 6.4 ± 1.4, respectively, P = 0.805). The corrected angle was 12.4° ± 5.9°, 13.8° ± 6.4°, respectively, for group A and group B (P = 0.305).

Conclusions

It is safe and effective to carry out the surgery just after a short-time antituberculous chemotherapy. And it is the postoperative drugs, not the preoperative drugs, that play an important role in reinforcing the surgical outcome.     

胸、腰椎脊柱结核一期病灶清除前方钛网支撑矫形内固定

目的探讨胸、腰椎结核一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、前方畸形矫正、植骨融合内固定的疗效。方法本组19例,男11例,女8例;平均年龄43.3岁(15～66岁)。病变部位:胸椎8例,胸、腰椎7例,腰椎4例。2个椎体13例,3个椎体5例,4个椎体1例,无跳跃型。椎旁脓肿15例,髂窝流注性脓肿4例。本组患者皆伴有后凸畸形,平均Cobb角44.7°。术前血沉正常5例,其余为22～127mm/h。本组患者术前应用三联(异烟肼、利福平、链霉素)化疗2周,手术采用一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、前方钛网支撑畸形矫正、植骨融合内固定术。术后化疗持续10个月,定期进行脊柱影像学检查和血沉、肝功能检查。结果刀口皆为Ⅰ期愈合,无窦道。最先解除的症状是疼痛,随访8～29个月(平均17个月),畸形矫正、植骨融合满意,未见内固定失败;后凸角度平均矫正21.3°,脊髓功能皆有不同程度地恢复。3例胸、腰段结核术中出现胸膜破裂,1例术后气胸;4例出现神经根刺激症状,1例钛网位置欠佳。无脓胸发生和迟发性脊髓功能丧失。术后血沉恢复正常时间为2～8个月。结论胸、腰椎脊柱结核一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、植骨融合,同时前方钛网支撑畸形矫正和脊柱稳定性重建,在临床上取得了满意的疗效。未见使用在脊柱结核治疗过程中的支撑物和内固定物产生的不良反应。     

病灶彻底切除椎间融合治疗脊柱结核

目的观察病灶切除椎体间植骨融合治疗脊柱结核的疗效。方法全组78例,男36例,女42例;年龄15～72岁,平均47岁。病变部位颈椎7例,胸椎29例,腰椎34例,腰骶椎8例。病变涉及2个节段29例,3个节段41例,4个节段以上8例。术前后凸畸形成角为13°～92°,平均34°。手术采用病灶彻底切除一期椎体间植骨融合,使用自体肋骨22例,髂骨44例,髂骨加肋骨12例。结果平均随访5.5年,优良率为98.7%,植骨融合率为97.4%,术后后凸畸形成角为5°～62°,平均22°。结论病灶彻底切除椎体间一期植骨融合,有利于恢复脊柱的即刻稳定性,骨融合率高,可纠正及预防脊柱后凸畸形,减少晚期腰背痛的发生。     

One-stage surgical treatment for upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via posterior-only approach

Purpose

To investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of one-stage surgical treatment for upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach.

Methods

Fourteen patients (eight males, six females) with upper thoracic tuberculosis whose lesions were confined to two adjacent segments were admitted to our hospital. Their ages ranged from 23 to 72 years (average, 50 years). The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale was used to assess neurological function. ASIA classification showed that preoperatively, one patient was grade A, two patients were grade B, eight patients were grade C, and three patients were grade D. All patients were treated with one-stage surgical treatment by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by measurement of thoracic kyphotic angles using Cobb angle evaluation, determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), evaluation of ASIA impairment scale, and radiological examination.

Results

Operation time ranged from 70 to 135 min, (average, 110 min). Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 950 mL (average, 450 mL). All patients were followed up for 22 to 48 months postoperatively (average, 31.5 months). No sinus tract formation, cerebrospinal meningitis, or recurrence of tuberculosis occurred. All patients had significant postoperative improvement in ASIA classification scores. The thoracic kyphotic angles were significantly decreased to 12°–26° postoperatively, and at final follow-up were 13°–28°. The ESR recovered to normal within 6 months postoperatively in all patients. Bone fusion was achieved within 3–8 months (average, 5.5 months).

Conclusions

One-stage surgical treatment for upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach can be an effective and feasible treatment method.     

Thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscesses treated by one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage

Purpose

Retrospective analysis of the clinical efficacy and feasibility of patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscesses treated by one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage.

Method

A total of 18 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB), between February 2007 and February 2011, underwent one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage. And the clinical efficacy was evaluated based on surgery duration time, the blood loss, the postural drainage of time, neurological status that was recorded by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale, the fate of bone graft fusion, kyphosis angle, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), which were collected at certain time.

Results

The average follow-up period was 34 months (range 18–48 months). 18 patients suffered from seriously neurological deficits pre-operatively, of which 16 patients returned to normal at final follow-up. The surgery duration time was 197 ± 37.9 min, and the blood loss was 815 ± 348.5 ml. The postural drainage of time was 7.2 ± 2.7 days. The psoas abscesses disappeared in all cases, within the time range of 6–9 months (mean 7.4 ± 1.2 months). All patients of the grafted bones were thoroughly fused, with a fusion time ranging from 4 to 12 months (mean 7.8 months). Kyphosis angle was 44.32 ± 7.26° on average pre-operative and returned to 11.72 ± 2.85° at 6 weeks after operation; kyphosis angle was 13.10 ± 2.39° at final follow-up. The values of ESR and CRP were significant declined at 6 weeks post-operative, and returned to normal levels at final follow-up.

Conclusion

With standardized anti-TB chemotherapy, thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscesses could be effectively treated by one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage.     

前路病灶清除、钛网植骨融合及内固定治疗胸腰椎结核

目的:探讨应用钛网前路重建技术治疗胸腰椎结核的临床价值。方法:对69例胸腰椎结核患者采用前路结核病灶清除、钛网重建植骨融合及前路或后路节段内固定手术,观察围手术期并发症、融合节段后凸角度和椎间平均高度、钛网沉降率及植骨融合情况。结果:本组无术中并发症,术后伤口感染2例、腰椎结核复发合并窦道形成1例,并发症发生率4.3%,融合节段后凸角术前21.5°±2.5°,术后6.5°±2.4°(与术前比较P<0.05)。融合节段椎体间高度术前109.4±4.2mm,术后121.2±3.6mm(与术前比较P<0.05)。随访12个月～3年,平均24个月,无内固定失败,钛网在头侧和尾侧终板平均沉降率分别为27%和31%。66例钛网椎间植骨融合,3例无明显融合征象。结论:胸腰椎结核前路彻底病灶清除后应用钛网进行重建结合节段性内固定可以避免取骨区并发症和有效维持脊柱矢状位排列,但骨融合有待进一步提高。     

一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定治疗胸腰椎结核

[目的]探讨一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定治疗胸腰椎结核的疗效。[方法]回顾性分析2003年1月～2006年2月在本院接受治疗的胸腰椎结核患者22例。男12例,女10例;年龄19～76岁,平均36岁。病变部位为T9～L5,其中累及1个椎体1例,2个椎体17例,3个椎体3例,跳跃性1例,受累椎体数量的中位数M=2,四分位距Q=0*。所有患者均接受一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定手术并配合规范抗痨化疗。对患者术后症状的改善情况、神经损害的恢复情况、脊柱后凸畸形的手术矫正程度以及远期随访中的植骨融合情况、角度丢失和钛网下沉情况进行随访观察和统计学比较。[结果]所有患者随访6～24个月,平均12.5个月,无复发。刀口均Ⅰ期愈合。术后全身症状及局部疼痛消失;神经症状有不同程度恢复(P<0.01);植骨融合时间3～6个月,平均4个月;后凸畸形手术矫正角度M=20.4°,Q=15.0°(P=0.0001),随访期间丢失角度的中位数M=1.85°,Q=3.6°(P=0.0001)。钛网上、下下沉率的M分别为11%、8%,Q分别为10.7%、9.0%,P均<0.0001。随访期间未见内固定松动及钛网明显移位。[结论]一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定手术结合规范抗痨化疗治疗胸腰椎结核的临床疗效显著、可靠。     

一期前路病灶清除椎间植骨联合内固定治疗脊柱结核

目的探讨病灶彻底清除后,自体髂骨块椎间植骨联合前路或后路内固定的效果。方法1999年6月～2004年4月期间一期手术治疗脊柱结核89例,其中前路病灶清除、自体髂骨椎间植骨,前方或侧前方内固定73例;前路病灶清除、自体髂骨椎间植骨,后路内固定16例。术后支具保护6个月,正规抗结核化疗12个月。根据术前、术后及最后一次随访的X线平片分析融合情况和畸形矫正的进展。结果随访1～5年,平均28个月;除2例复发、1例内固定松动、2例出现药物性肝炎、2例出现供骨区严重疼痛外,无其他并发症;88例获骨性愈合,愈合时间3～6个月。平均4个月;术前、术后、最后一次Cobb角分别为35.3°、16.3°、19.5°。结论对合适的病例,该法可有效稳定脊柱、维持其畸形的矫正;达到牢固地融合,临床效果明显。     

一期前路病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎结核

目的:总结一期前路病灶清除、自体骨椎间植骨融合、前路或后路内固定治疗胸腰椎结核的临床效果。方法:2002年2月～2006年2月手术治疗胸、腰椎结核86例,均采用一期前路病灶清除、自体骨椎间植骨,侧前方内固定52例,后路内固定34例。根据术前、术后X线平片分析植骨融合及脊柱后凸畸形矫正效果。结果:随访8个月～4年,平均23个月。除1例术后2周出现切口皮下血肿、4例1年后仍存在髂骨供骨区疼痛外,无其他并发症;无复发。均获骨性愈合,愈合时间3～7个月,平均4.5个月,无内固定松动、脱出及断裂;术前Cobb角平均为33.6°,术后1周及末次随访时Cobb角分别为平均15.6°、18.6°。结论:对胸、腰椎结核患者行一期前路病灶清除、自体骨椎间植骨融合、前路或后路内固定治疗可有效矫正脊柱后凸畸形,重建脊柱稳定性,获得良好的骨性融合,临床效果良好。