OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of perioperative nutritional support on nutritional status of patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.

METHODSForty-eight patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis (male 25 and female 23, aged from 35 to 60 years, with an average of 48.25 years) were randomized into two groups. Twenty-four patients nutritional support were increased intravenously for 14 days (7 days before and after operation) in experimental group. Twenty-four patients in control group were supplied with routine diet. The body weight, plasma concentrations of albumin and ESR were detected on the 7th day before operation and on the 7th day after operation. The total wound drainage was recorded and compared.

RESULTSBody weight and plasma concentrations of albumin on the 7th day after operation and those on the 7th day before operation were not significantly different in experimental group (P > 0.05). In control group, body weight and plasma concentrations of albumin on the 7th day after operation was lower than those on the 7th day before operation (P < 0.05). The total wound drainage of experimental group was less than that of control group (P < 0.05). ESR on the 7th day after operation was lower than that on the 7th day before operation in two groups (P < 0.05); but the decrease of ESR in experimental group was more than that in control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNutritional support is beneficial to alleviating innutrition caused by tubercle bacillus and operation. It can promote the effects of operation and anti-tuberculotic drugs.