OBJECTIVETo evaluate the exploratory development of bone graft by titanium mesh with bone allograft in treatment of cervical spinal tuberculosis.

METHODSThirty two cases of cervical spinal tuberculosis treated with anterior radical debridement, decompression and inter fixation from January 2002 to January 2007 were included (at least two years follow-up). 18 male and 14 female, age from 18 to 72, mean 41.3 years old. 0.5 - 15.0 months before visit, mean 6.9 months. There were 13 cases in initial treatment group and 19 cases in retreatment group. All cases were divided into two groups (group A and group B) by resource of bone graft. Group A, titanium mesh with bone allograft, 17 cases. Group B, autograft with ilium, 15 cases. Operation time, blood loss, curing conditions, cervical curvature (absolute rotation angle, ARA), function of spinal cord and the rate for bone graft fusions in two groups were compared. The mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range 2 - 5 years).

RESULTSThe primary healing rate of incisions was 93.8% (30/32), and total healing rate was 96.9% (31/32). There were no significant differences in operation time or in blood loss between two groups (P > 0.05). Operation time and blood loss, 72 min/121 ml in group A and 90 min/198 ml in group B, there were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). In each group, there were significant differences in the function of spinal cord between preoperative and immediately post operative, between preoperative and follow-up, and between immediately post operative and follow-up (P < 0.05), and there were significant differences in ARA between preoperative and immediately post operative, and between preoperative and follow-up (P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences between immediately post operative and follow-up (P > 0.05). On preoperative, immediately post operative and follow-up, there were no significant differences in the function of spinal cord or in ARA between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor cervical spinal tuberculosis followed by effective individual chemotherapy, a good effect can be obtained by treated with radical debridement and bone allograft with titanium mesh.