Anterior spinal tuberculosis: paraplegia following laminectomy

Of 16 patients with anterior spinal tuberculosis treated in this unit during the period 1979-1984, five presented with neurological complications following laminectomy at another hospital. After the decompressive laminectomy all five patients developed an increasing kyphosis, and four of the five patients had deteriorated neurologically. They were transferred to our unit where the four with neurological deterioration underwent surgical stabilisation. This paper illustrates the dangers of posterior spinal surgery in the presence of anterior disease.