Surgical treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis by one-stage debridement and anterior instrumentation with allograft through an extraperitoneal anterior approach

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the clinical outcome of lumbosacral tuberculosis treatment by one-stage radical debridement with bone allograft reconstruction and anterior instrumentation via a retroperitoneal approach. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a series of 43 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis in whom the lumbosacral junction was exposed via an anterior midline retroperitoneal approach. After radical debridement, two parallel tricortical iliac crest bone allografts were placed to reconstruct the anterior column, and then anterior fixation was performed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 34 months (range, 24–91 months), during which no obvious loss of correction was observed. No case experienced recurrence, tuberculous peritonitis, erectile dysfunction, or retrograde ejaculation. CONCLUSIONS: The midline retroperitoneal approach provides direct and safe access to lesions of lumbosacral tuberculosis. Two parallel structural iliac crest allografts and anterior instrumentation effectively stabilize the lumbosacral junction.