Comparison of the Results between Conservative and Operative Treatments for Pyogenic Spondylitis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: With advancements in antibiotics, the ability to treat pyogenic spondylitis is increasing. This study aimed to compare and analyze the outcomes between conservative and operative treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients (28 males and 32 females) with pyogenic spondylitis, who were hospitalized and treated between February 2008 and June 2016, were enrolled. Patients were divided according to the following: type of treatment – conservative or operative treatment, method of surgery, radiographic parameters, location of the affected spine. Clinical parameters as durations of hospital stay, intravenous antibiotics use, normalization in laboratory findings, and residual symptoms were analyzed. For statistical evaluation, independent-sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson's chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman correlation analysis were performed retrospectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the duration of hospital stay, intravenous antibiotics use, normalization in laboratory findings, and residual symptoms between the conservative and operative treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In treating pyogenic spondylitis, conservative treatment can be considered as the first choice, and operative treatment can be chosen in refractory cases.