Posterior Approach With Osteotomized Debridement Versus Combined Anterior and Posterior Approach in Treating Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Objectives: To compare outcomes of posterior osteotomized debridement (OD) with combined anterior and posterior approach (AP) in treating thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB). Methods: This study reviewed 178 patients who were diagnosed as active thoracolumbar TB and surgically treated in our center. One hundred and two patients underwent posterior OD, interbody fusion with titanium mesh cage (TMC), and instrumentation (group A). Seventy-six patients underwent one-stage posterior instrumentation, anterior debridement, and interbody fusion with TMC (group B). Patients’ clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in all patients returned to normal levels within 3 months after surgery, and no recurrence occurred during the follow-up. Compared with AP approach, OD surgery was less invasive and with a lower cost (¥ 70 581 ± 17 645 vs ¥ 87 600 ± 27 328; P