Posterior interbody grafting and instrumentation for spondylodiscitis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report outcomes of 7 patients with bacterial spondylodiscitis treated through a posterior approach.

METHODS:

Five men and 2 women aged 40 to 80 years underwent one-stage posterior interbody debridement and instrumentation for single-segment bacterial spondylodiscitis of lumbar (n=5) or thoracic (n=2) vertebrae. The Oswestry Disability Score, the Frankel classification, the Cobb angle, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain as well as bone union on radiographs were assessed.

RESULTS:

Patients were followed up for 19 to 36 months. None had relapses or complications. Postoperatively, 5 patients had no pain or used analgesics only occasionally; their VAS scores varied from 0 to 20. The remaining 2 patients had residual symptoms and received regular peripheral pain medication and opiates; their VAS scores ranged from 30 to 50. The mean Oswestry Disability Score improved to 21 (range, 12-38). The mean Cobb angle improved from 13.1 to 11.1 degrees. The segments were probably fused in 5 patients and questionable in 2.

CONCLUSION:

Posterior debridement and instrumentation was adequate for single-segment spondylodiscitis and achieved good outcomes.

• Authors: Stefan Endres, Axel Wilke
• Journal: Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong) (J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong)) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 1-6 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 2309-4990 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22535802 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Discitis (microbiology, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Ilium (transplantation)
• Lumbar Vertebrae
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Spinal Fusion (instrumentation, methods)
• Staphylococcal Infections (surgery)
• Thoracic Vertebrae