Pott's disease in children: medical or surgical treatment? About 100 cases

ABSTRACT

Between 1976 and 1984, 100 children aged 13 months to 15 years were treated for tuberculosis of the spine. 29 patients seen at an early stage and presenting limited lesions healed completely with mild or moderate residual kyphosis after orthopaedic treatment associating antibiotherapy and strict immobilization in plaster shells. 71 patients having extensive vertebral destruction or after failure of the orthopaedic treatment underwent surgery for excision and anterior spine fusion. A supplementary posterior spine fusion was performed in 48 patients. This procedure, in conjunction with preoperative traction, obtained stabilization of the spine and healing of vertebral lesions in most cases with excellent correction of recent kyphosis. In view of these results, it seems possible to determine which treatment is best adapted according to - the extent, severity and level of the lesions, - the degree and age of kyphosis, - the existence or not of paraplegia. The possibility to reduce fixed severe kyphosis [6 cases] and the opportunity of a supplementary posterior fusion arc evaluated