Abstract: Objective  To evaluate the clinical effects of surgery combined with drug therapy for cervical tuberculosis.  Methods  From May 2007 to March 2010, 16 cases who suffered from cervical tuberculosis were treated by surgery combined with drug and the data of treatment and efficacy were retrospectively analyzed.  Results  The mean followed-up time was 21 months.All cases’ tuberculosis lesions were cured, bone graft got fusion,and clinical symptoms such as neck pain disappeared or was significantly improved. The muscle strength of 10 cases recovered in one week after operation, the sensory and motor function of 6 cases gradually improved in one month after operation, the bowel and bladder function of all patients were improved within one month after surgery. Their nerve symptoms were greatly improved. The level were improved from 1 to 3 grades in Frankel grading system. One patient with Frankel B was improved to D and another one was improved from C to D.The others with different Frankel grades were improved totally to E.  Conclusion  Surgery combined with drug therapy for cervical tuberculosis with quadriplegia are satisfactory in early stage. The long-term efficacy remains to be seen due to the short time of the clinical application.

Key words: Tuberculosis, spinal/surgery, Tuberculosis, spinal/drug therapy, Cervical vertebrae, Treatment outcome