Study DesignThe authors employed a new mode of treatment for spinal tuberculosis consisting of single stage posterior instrumentation and fusion without anterior debridment. Ten patients were operated upon in this manner. Chemotherapy was instituted 2 weeks preoperatively and continued for a mean period of 11 months. Cotrel-Dubousset or a comparable system was used for fixation.ObjectivesPatients were followed for 3 monthly intervals with serial anteroposterior and lateral x-rays, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, physical examination, and patients' self reports. The mean follow up period was 24.2 months (range, 17ndash;36 months).MethodsMeasurement of kyphosis angle in the lateral x-ray view was used to evaluate treatment.ResultsOnly a 3.4deg;; mean loss of correction was observed over the follow-up period. All patients were satisfied.ConclusionOur results show that posterior rigid fixation and chemotherapy provide satisfactory stabilization, reduce surgical morbidity, and prevent development of late kyphosis in selected patients with Pott's disease of the thoracolumbar spine.
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