Abstract:

Twenty cases of recurrent spinal tuberculosis admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of the Third People’s Hospital of Kunming City from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent secondary surgery after pre-operation percutaneous catheter drainage intervention (mean tube time was 17.2±3.7 days). Efficacy was assessed based on symptoms of patient, visual analogue scale score (VAS), wound healing, as well as X-ray, CT, and MRI examinations. All operations were successful. The VAS was decreased from (7.52±1.09)scores to (3.11±0.28)scores after percutaneous catheter drainage intervention, and slightly increased to (4.32±0.79)scores after the secondary surgery. All patients achieved clinical healing. No loosening or rupture of the internal fixator occurred, as well as complications such as retrograde infection and sinus. The mean follow-up time was (1.9±0.8)years. No post-operative recurrence occurred again during the follow-up period. Pre-operation percutaneous catheter combine with surgery was an available and effective method to treat spinal tuberculosis recurrence.

Key words: Tuberculosis, spinal, Recurrence, Punctures, Drainage, Surgical procedures, Operative, Treatment outcome