Anterior plating for lower cervical spine tuberculosis

• Published in: International orthopaedics Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 73 - 77
• Main Author: HASSAN, M. G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Plates; Bone Transplantation; Cervical Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Cervical Vertebrae - surgery; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Procedures - methods; Orthopedic surgery; Radiography; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tuberculosis, Spinal - diagnostic imaging; Tuberculosis, Spinal - surgery; Human; Nervous system diseases; Kyphosis; Prognosis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Anterior; Mycobacterial infection; Spine disease; Plate; Infection; Spondylitis; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Tuberculosis; Bacteriosis; Arthrodesis; Surgical approach; Bone; Technique; Neurological disorder; Cervical spine
• DOI: 10.1007/s00264-002-0400-2
• EISSN: 1432-5195
• ISSN: 0341-2695

Sixteen patients with tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine and neurological complication or unacceptable kyphosis were treated by anterior debridement, fusion and H-plate fixation. The follow-up was 38 (13-72) months. All cases had bony fusion. There were no increased neurological deficits. Out of 14 patients with neurological manifestations, 12 showed complete recovery and two marked improvements. Kyphosis improved from 21.6 degrees (5-70 degrees) preoperatively to 2.5 degrees (-6-20 degrees) at the latest follow-up. The major advantage of the anterior instrumentation was better correction of the deformity.