Spondylitis: One Stage Anterior Debridement with Anterior Instrumentation and Two Stage Operation of Anterior Debridement and Posterior Instrumentation

– Abstract – Study Design: Thirty-eight patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were evaluated according to the surgical treatment method, either a one or two stage anterior debridement, with anterior or posterior instrumentation, respectively. Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the one stage anterior debridement, with anterior instrumentation, to the two stage anterior debridement, with posterior instrumentation Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients, with tuberculous spine, were divided into two groups depending on the surgical method. One group consisted of 21 patients treated with anterior debridement combined with anterior instrumentation, and the other group consisted of 17 patients treated by a two stage operation of anterior debridement combined with posterior instru-mentation. The clinical outcomes were evaluated from the hematological laboratory findings, bone union in radiographs, change of kyphotic angle, duration of hospital stay and the medical cost during hospitalization. Results: There were no recurrences of infection in either group and bone union was obtained within 6 months of the operation for all cases in both groups. The preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up kyphotic angle in the two groups were 18/20, 7/9 and 10/11 degrees, respectively. There was no significant difference in the decrease of the kyphotic angle between the tw