ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of primary anterior lesion removal and bone graft fusion combined with secondary posterior fixation in the treatment of cervical suppurative spondylitis.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed on the data of twenty cervical suppurative spondylitis patients treated with primary anterior lesion removal and bone graft fusion combinedwith secondary posterior fixation in our hospital from May 2016 to December 2020, including 14 males and 6 females. Aging from 40 to 87 years, with an average of 60.2±12.6 years. The laboratory tests of preoperative blood culture, such as white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) were performed.The selection and duration of antibiotic usewere guided according to bacterial culture and laboratory test results. visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopeadic Association (JOA) score and Frankle classification of neurological function were evaluated before surgery, 3 months after surgery, and 12 months after surgery, so were the Cobb angle and segmental angle of cervical lordosis. Single factor repeated measure ANOVA was used for statistical analysis of data.Results:Surgeries were performed successfully for all the 20 patients. 9 cases of Staphylococcus aureus, 4 cases of Streptococcus and 2 case of Escherichia coli were detected by pathogen examination. The remaining 5 cases were negative in bacterial culture. All 20 patients were followed up for 18.3±6.7 months. WBC, ESR and CRP at 3 and 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery ( F value: 17.90, 30.65, 18.64, P<0.001). The VAS at 3 months after surgery 1.35±0.49 and 12 months after surgery 1.15±0.48 were significantly lower than that before surgery 4.95±1.10 ( F=176.12, P<0.001). The JOA score at 3 months after surgery 15.40±1.93 and 12 months after surgery 16.06±1.36 were significantly better than that before surgery 11.45±2.78 ( F=65.33, P<0.001). The Cobb Angle of C 2-C 7 cervical lordosis after surgery 14.45°±4.36° and 12 months after surgery (13.70°±3.15°) were significantly larger than that before surgery (8.25°±4.36°) ( F=72.54, P<0.001). Cobb angle of the lesion segment after surgery (3.60°±1.90°) and 12 months after surgery (2.90°±1.44°) were significantly better than that before surgery (-3.55°±5.74°) (negative value indicated kyphosis) ( F=42.49, P<0.001). Bone fusion was observed in all graft areas at 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion:The treatment of cervical suppurative spondylitis with primary anterior lesion removal and bone graft fusion combined with secondary posterior fixation can effectively obtain intraspinal decompression, improve pain and nerve function, as well as restore cervical stability and correct kyphosis, with satisfactory clinical efficacy.