[Radical debridement and single stage posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic-lumber tuberculosis].

Objective: To evaluate the radical debridement and single stage posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

Methods: From 1999 to 2004, 57 patients (29 males, 26 females) with spinal tuberculosis were operated at our department. The age range was 20 to 77 years old (mean: 39 years old). There were 30 cases of thoracic vertebra and 27 cases of lumbar vertebra. All the patients received a standard pre-operative 4 - 8-week anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Results: The follow-up period ranged from 1 - 4 years and 95.9% of patients achieved an excellent outcome. Solid bony fusion was seen at last in all cases. The mean post-operative kyphosis angle reduced to 20 degrees from 32 degrees pre-operation.

Conclusion: Single stage anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation is curative for spinal tuberculosis.