Anterior cervical plate fixation and graft fusion in the repair of adult cervical tuberculosis：good biocompatibility / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Spinal tuberculosis seldom involves cervical vertebra. The application of anti-tuberculosis drug has slight effects on patients combined with nerve dysfunction and severe vertebral destruction, which results in unstable cervical vertebra. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate biocompatibility of graft and host after one-stage anterior debridement graft fusion and internal fixation in the repair of adult cervical tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 14 patients who suffered from cervical tuberculosis were admitted into Department of Spinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University between May 2010 and June 2012. They underwent Zephir anterior cervical plate for one-stage anterior debridement graft fusion and internal fixation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with pre-fixation, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and visual analog scale score were lower in final folow-up (P < 0.05), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased (P < 0.05). Except that Frankel grade recovered to grade D from grade C in one case, Frankel grade did not alter in the remaining patients. Compared with pre-fixation, Cobb angle was apparently shortened in seven patients with kyphosis. Folowing internal fixation, bone trabecula was visible between the vertebral body and graft region after fixation. No displacement, bone resorption, nonunion or pseudoarthrosis occurred. Neck pain and limited function relieved or disappeared to different degrees after fixation. These findings suggest this method can effectively treat cervical tuberculosis. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the plate and host is good.