Radical Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis by Extrapleural Approach / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A total 12 cases of tuberculous spondylitis of thoracic spine had been treated by anterior decompression and interbody fusion through extrapleural approach from March, 1979 to June, 1980. In this study, six impending or complete paraplegics were included. Prognosis of paraplegia depends on its grade, duration and local pathology. Extrapleural approach seems to offer the following advantages over all the other ones; lesser risk, no Iimitation of surgical fleid, less chance of contaminating pleural cavity, less postoperative complications, especially indicated for the elderly paraplegics of Incomplete or complete type and less cumbersome Immediate postoperative care.