[Application of sacral rod fixation for the treatment of lumbosacral segment tuberculosis]

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of primary anterior radical debridement, bone autograft, and sacral rod fixation for the treatment of tuberculosis of the lumbosacral segment.

From March 2004 to November 2008,11 patients with tuberculosis of the lumbosacral segments received antituberculosis medications for 2 to 3 weeks before anterior radical debridement, autologous iliac bone grafting, and internal sacral rod fixation. Among the patients, 5 patients were male and 6 patients were female, with an average age of (44.45 +/- 8.50) years (ranged from 29 to 56 years). The average time from stage of onset to operation was 11 months (ranged from 8 to 15 months). All the patients presented with various degrees of lower back pain; one patient experienced preoperative lower extremity radicular pain, while 2 patients experienced saddle area anaesthesia. However, only 6 patients exhibited mild to moderate tuberculous toxic reactions. All the patients were evaluated by plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made with reference to clinical and radiological findings. Surgery was performed when the toxic symptoms of tuberculosis were controlled and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) decreased to (37.2 +/- 9.6) mm/h (25 to 54 mm/h). Lumbosacral angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, ESR, and neurological performance were assessed before and after surgery.

All surgical procedures were performed successfully without intra or postoperative complications. There were no instances of spinal tuberculosis recurrence. Patients were followed up for a mean of (19.64 +/- 5.43) months. The mean lumbosacral angle significantly increased from the preoperative mean (12.9 +/- 5.0) degrees to postoperative (21.5 +/- 6.1) degrees and at final follow-up (20.1 +/- 5.2) degrees (P < 0.001). The mean VAS scores and ESR significantly decreased from preoperative (7.3 +/- 1.2) score and (37.2 +/- 9.6) mm/h respectively to final follow-up (0.6 +/- 0.5) score and (10.5 +/- 2.3) mm/h respectively (P < 0.001). Bone fusion occurred in all patients at a mean of (9.0 +/- 1.9) months (ranged 6 to 12 months) after surgery. Three patients who had impaired neurological performance before surgery had normal neurological performance after surgery.

Our findings suggest that anterior radical debridement, interbody fusion, and sacral rod fixation can be an effective treatment option for lumbosacral segment tuberculosis.