Nonstructural versus structural bone grafting in the treatment of lumbar spinal tuberculosis combined with single-stage posterior debridement and instrumentation: a retrospective cohort study
Abstract Background Many types of bone grafting have been reported for successful use in achieving anterior column support and bone fusion after one stage posterior debridement in the treatment of lumbar spinal tuberculosis. However, none-structural bone grafting has rarely been studied. This study was aimed to identify the feasibility of none-structural bone grafting from comparing the advantages and disadvantages with structural bone grafting in the treatment of lumbar spinal tuberculosis. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with lumbar spinal tuberculosis who had undergone none-structural (n=27) and structural (n=22) bone grafting after single-stage posterior debridement and instrumentation with at least 24 months of follow-up. Plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scans, as well as health-related outcomes, including Visual Analog Scale for back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index were collated before surgery and at follow-up. Results Both none-structural and structural bone grafting were associated with significant improvements in quality of life parameters, the laboratory tests and the Cobb angle of local kyphosis. A slight loss of Cobb angle correction was in both two groups, without any associated complications. The operation duration and blood loss in none-structural bone grafting group was significantly less. The bone fusion rate was higher in structural bone grafting group. There were three complications in the none-structural bone grafting and four complications in the structural bone grafting group; the incidence of complications between the two groups was not significantly different. Conclusions Based on single-stage posterior debridement and pedicle screws fixation, none-structural bone grafting can achieve anterior column support with reducing surgical trauma, simplifying surgical procedure and decreasing intraoperative hemorrhage, but the lower rate of grafted bone fusion should be taken into consideration when choosing the aforementioned method. Key words Lumbar spinal tuberculous; Single-stage posterior debridement; Anterior column support; Bone fusion; None-structural bone grafting; Structural bone grafting