OBJECTIVETo observe the results of posterior osteotomy and correction in the surgical treatment of old tuberculous kyphosis.

METHODSFrom June 2004 to December 2008, 31 cases of old tuberculous kyphosis with posterior osteotomy and correction technique were treated. There were 12 cases of male and 19 cases of female. The average age was 33.4 years. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy or vertebral column resection were applied in surgery. The kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle and sagittal balance condition of the spine were measured before and after surgery, as well as follow-up. The Frankel grading system for neurological function of lower extremities, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) for life quality, and patient satisfactory index (PSI) for satisfaction of surgery were applied before surgery and at follow-up.

RESULTSThe average kyphosis angle was 94° ± 27°, the average lumbar lordosis angle was 71° ± 20°, and the average sagittal C(7) plumb line was (-15 ± 44) mm away from the balance region before surgery. The average kyphosis angle decreased to 26° ± 11° in one week after surgery, with an improvement rate of 71.4%. The average follow-up time was 22.5 months. The average kyphosis angle was 28° ± 12° at the final follow-up, with an improvement rate of 70.0%. The average lumbar lordosis angle was 46° ± 11°, with an improvement rate of 35.1%. The postoperative kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle were significantly different with that of pre-operation (for kyphosis angle: t = 16.3, P < 0.05; for lumbar lordosis angle: t = 8.1, P < 0.05). The average sagittal C(7) plumb line was (-4 ± 22) mm away from the balance region at the final follow-up, with an improvement rate of 73.4%. The Frankel grading were E in 13 cases, D in 13 cases, and C in 5 cases before surgery, and were E in 20 cases, D in 8 cases, and C in 3 cases at the final follow-up. The average ODI was 13 ± 12 before surgery, and was 7 ± 8 at the final follow-up, with an improvement rate of 45.2%. The PSI results showed a satisfied rate of 90.3%.

CONCLUSIONGood results can be achieved by applying proper posterior osteotomy and correction technique according to the severity of old tuberculous kyphosis.