Comparison of mid-term outcomes of posterior or postero-anterior approach using different bone grafting in children with lumbar tuberculosis

The anterior and middle columns instead of the posterior column of spine are usually destroyed by tuberculosis which could aggravate the kyphosis accompanying the growth imbalance of spine in children. The surgical method needs to be selected cautiously for effective treatment. To our knowledge, few studies have evaluated mid-term outcomes of 2 surgeries (posterior-only approach and combined posterior and anterior approaches) with allograft or shaped titanium mesh cages for the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis in children. The study aims to compare the surgical mid-term outcomes of the posterior-only approach and the combined approaches using different bone grafting for the treatment of pediatric lumbar tuberculosis. Between January 2007 and June 2013 at our spine center, 51 consecutive pediatric lumbar tuberculosis with an average age of 7.3 ± 3.93 years treated with combined posterior and anterior approaches (PA, 22 cases) or posterior-only approach (PO, 29 cases) were enrolled. Two types of interbody bone graft were applied in this study: fresh-frozen tricortical iliac-bone allograft (AG, 21 cases) and shaped titanium mesh cages (TM, 30 cases). All medical records and radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) is applied to evaluate the neurological function. The average visual analogue (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate the quality of life. The average follow-up was 6.7 ± 1.9 years. The mean operation time, average blood loss, complication rate, and lengths of hospital stay of PO were less than those of the PA. The postoperative VAS (1 day after surgery) of PA was significantly higher than that of PO. The ODI, VAS and JOA scores at the final follow-up had been improved significantly compared with preoperative scores. The ODI, VAS and JOA scores at the final follow-up were similar between PA and PO as well as between AG and TM. There was no statistically significant difference about the fusion times between PO and PA groups. The final follow-up kyphosis correction rate and the correction loss at the final follow-up between the PO and PA groups showed no statistically significant difference. However, the final follow-up correction rate of the AG group was lower than that of TM group. The correction loss of the AG group was higher than that of TM group. The posterior only approach in experienced hands provides satisfying treatment for the children lumbar tuberculosis with less invasive, much safer, and more effective compared with combined posterior and anterior approach. The shaped titanium mesh cages are noted to be a valuable tool in surgical decision making.