RESUMO
Objective To observe the therapeutical effect of posterior vertebral column resection on chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia and to provide a safe and effective method for the treatment of chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia.MethodsFrom Aug.2007 to Mar.2010,12 cases with chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis and secondary paraplegia were surgically treated by posterior vertebral column resection and Titanium net support for bone graft and internal fixation operation treatment.Cobb angle was measured,and conditions of internal fixation were observed before and after the operation by X-ray films.Neurological status were evaluated by Frankel grades.ResultsThe follow-up periods was 6- 18 months( on average 11 months).Operations eased all patients' back and chest pain.Frankel grade increased from C preoperatively to grade D or E postoperatively in 6 cases,from grade D to E in 4 cases and from grade B to C in 1 case.No obvious improvement of Frankel grade was observed in the other patient of grade B.The average Cobb angles were(76.0 ± 23.4) ° before surgery,( 15.5 ± 6.3 ) ° at one week after surgery and ( 16.0 ± 8.2) °at the last follow-up.The difference in the Cobb angle before and at one week after treatment was significant( t =3.41,P ＜ 0.01 ).No difference was found in the Cobb angle between at one week after treatment and at the last follow-up (t =1.58,P ＞ 0.05 ).All patients got bony fusion with Titanium net.No complications occurred with internal fixation.Conclusion Posterior vertebral column resection is a feasible method for the treatment of chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia.It achieves neurological decompression with high correction rate and minor injury,and no anterior surgery is needed.