OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and indication of one stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion and internal fixation for thoracic tuberculosis.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to May 2011,12 patients with thoracic tuberculosis were treated with one stage posterior debridement and pedicle screw fixation combined with regular anti-tuberculosis treatment before and after operation. There were 7 males and 5 females,with an average age of 45 years and average course of 15 months. Information of operative time, blood loss, bony fusion, local kyphosis and neurologic functional were evaluated.

RESULTSAll infective focus were thoroughly removed and bone graft obtained fusion. The mean of operative time and blood loss were 170 min (120-210 min) and 510 ml (200-1 000 ml),respectively. Cobb angle from (28.7 +/- 9.2) degrees preoperatively decreased to (8.2 +/- 3.5) degrees postoperatively(P<0.05). No kyphosis correction loss,tubercular recurrence or failure of internal fixation was found. According to Frankel grade to evaluate neurological function, all patients arrived to grade E.

CONCLUSIONOne stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion and internal fixation is an effective method in treating thoracic tuberculosis. It has advantages such as thorough debridement, short operative time, less blood loss, more kyphosis correction and higher bony fusion rate.