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Percutaneous discectomy and drainage for postoperative intervertebral discitis
Jian Li1, Denglu Yan, Lijun Duan
1Orthopedic Department, Third Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, People's Republic of China.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Percutaneous discectomy and drainage (PDD) effectively treats postoperative intervertebral discitis. This minimally invasive procedure offers significant pain relief and aids in diagnosis, with good clinical outcomes for early-stage cases.
Area of Science:
- Spinal Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Postoperative intervertebral discitis is a complication following spinal surgery.
- Evaluating the efficacy of percutaneous discectomy and drainage (PDD) for this condition is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical outcomes and diagnostic yield of PDD in patients with postoperative intervertebral discitis.
- To determine if PDD is a suitable minimally invasive treatment option.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 34 patients treated with PDD for postoperative intervertebral discitis between 1997 and 2006.
- Included patients who underwent PDD after various spinal surgical procedures, including lumbar and cervical discectomy and nucleoplasty.
- Data collected included patient demographics, procedure details, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- PDD was well-tolerated, with significant improvement in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores post-procedure (P < 0.01).
- Inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR) normalized within 3-8 weeks, showing significant improvement (P < 0.01).
- Biopsies yielded diagnostic material; pus was observed in 17 cases, and cultures were positive in 14 cases. Radiographic changes like disc space narrowing were noted.
Conclusions:
- PDD is a minimally invasive technique for obtaining biopsy samples for histological analysis and culture in discitis.
- The procedure demonstrates good clinical outcomes, making it a recommended option for early-stage postoperative intervertebral discitis without neurological deficits.
