BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatobiliarypancreatic tuberculosis (HBPTB) is a less common form of tuberculosis that often presents as malignancy or lithiasis. Advances in diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures have led to the detection of more patients with milder forms of TB requiring surgical management. Due to the low incidence rates and lack of standardized approaches, additional studies are needed to improve patient outcomes. This study examined the risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatments for HBPTB patients at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021.

METHODS

This retrospective descriptive study utilized our institutional database to identify patients who underwent a surgical procedure for HBPTB and their associated risk factors. Inclusion criteria required biopsy or microbiologic proof of tuberculous involvement of the biliary tract or nearby structures.

RESULTS

Among a total of 45 patients, the most common admitting diagnosis were HBP tuberculosis (37.8%) and malignancy (35.6%). 47.6% of patients had a previous or concurrent TB exposure. Sixty percent had subclinical malnutrition indicated by normal weight and low albumin. The liver (37.8%) and the bile ducts (33.3%) were the most common organs involved. The most common surgical procedures done were ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, biliary enteric anastomosis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without stenting (ERCP).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides additional data for clinicians to tailor diagnostic and treatment plans accordingly. Striking a balance between surgical procedures and appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) is essential for successful treatment. Local data can be useful to help identify tuberculosis patterns unique to Filipinos and highlight socio-economic factors contributing to this rare presentation of TB.

Human ; Tuberculosis, Extrapulmonary ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; General Surgery ; Acute Care Surgery ; Liver Diseases ; Pancreas

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of the anterior and middle columns in thoracolumbar tuberculosis reconstructed with whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone through posterior approach. METHODS: The retrospective study included 78 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis who underwent posterior approach surgery and anterior and middle column bone graft reconstruction between January 2012 and May 2023. Based on the type of autogenous bone graft used, patients were divided into group A (whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone graft, 38 cases) and group B (autogenous structural iliac bone graft, 40 cases). There was no significant difference of baseline data, such as age, gender, disease duration, involved segment of spinal tuberculosis, and preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, segmental kyphotic angle, and intervertebral height between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospital stays, ESR, CRP, VAS score, ODI, bone fusion time, ASIA grade for neurological status valuation, postoperative complications, change of segmental kyphotic angle, change of intervertebral height were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operation time in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and hospital stays between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 14-110 months (mean, 64.1 months); there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The ESR, CRP, ODI, and VAS score at each time point after operation in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and further improved with the extension of time, the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) except that the VAS score of group A was significantly better than that of group B at 3 days after operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in fusion time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The neurological function of most patients improved after operation, and there was no significant difference in ASIA grade between the two groups at last follow-up ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in segmental kyphosis angle and intervertebral height between the two groups at each time point ( P>0.05), and no significant difference in segmental kyphosis angle, intervertebral height correction and loss were found between the two groups ( P>0.05). In group A, there was 1 case of incision fat liquefaction and 1 case of incision infection; in group B, there was 1 case of deep venous thrombosis, 2 cases of pleural effusion, and 10 cases of pain in bone harvesting area; in both groups, there were 2 cases of gout caused by hyperuricemia. There was a significant difference in the incidence of pain in bone harvesting area between the two groups ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the incidence of other complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone grafting is equivalent to structural iliac bone graft in reconstruction of the anterior and middle columns in thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior approach, effectively supporting the stability of the anterior and middle columns of the spine, while resulting in shorter operation time and less postoperative pain in bone harvesting area.
Humans ; Tuberculosis, Spinal/surgery* ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Treatment Outcome ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Operative Time ; Ilium/transplantation*

OBJECTIVES: Endometrial tuberculosis, which commonly affects women of reproductive age, is a significant cause of intrauterine adhesions (IUA), potentially leading to hypomenorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is the primary treatment for IUA; however, studies specifically addressing its efficacy in tuberculosis-induced IUA remain scarce. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis for IUA caused by endometrial tuberculosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with tuberculosis-induced IUA who underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between May 2014 and October 2022. Clinical data including age, medical history, adhesion severity, surgical treatment, and reproductive outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 39 patients identified, 2 were lost to follow-up. A total of 37 patients were included, with a follow-up duration ranging from 6 months to 9 years. Hypomenorrhea was reported in 24 (64.9%) patients, secondary amenorrhea in 10 (27.0%) patients, and normal menstruation in 3 (8.1%) patients. Most patients presented with primary infertility (59.5%), and only 2 (5.4%) had secondary infertility. The median American Fertility Society (AFS) score at initial assessment was 10 (range, 8-12); 8 (21.6%) patients had moderate IUA, and 29 (78.4%) had severe IUA. A total of 86 surgical procedures were performed across 37 patients, with 27 patients undergoing 2 or more surgeries. Postoperatively, 25 (67.6%) patients achieved normalization of the uterine cavity, while 12 (32.4%) still had a reduced cavity. Only 7 (18.9%) patients had a grossly normal endometrium at the final surgery, all of whom had moderate adhesions at the initial procedure. Menstrual flow returned to normal in 12 (32.4%) patients, while 25 (67.6%) continued to experience hypomenorrhea. Of 29 patients who attempted in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), only 6 (20.7%) conceived. Among these, 4 (13.8%) delivered at term via cesarean section; one case was complicated by postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony and another by placental adhesion. CONCLUSIONS Endometrial tuberculosis can lead to severe IUA. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis facilitates cavity restoration and improvement of menstrual conditions, but the overall reproductive outcomes remain suboptimal.
Humans ; Female ; Hysteroscopy/methods* ; Tissue Adhesions/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Uterine Diseases/etiology* ; Infertility, Female/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Female Genital/surgery* ; Fertility ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatobiliarypancreatic tuberculosis (HBPTB) is a less common form of tuberculosis that often presents as malignancy or lithiasis. Advances in diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures have led to the detection of more patients with milder forms of TB requiring surgical management. Due to the low incidence rates and lack of standardized approaches, additional studies are needed to improve patient outcomes. This study examined the risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatments for HBPTB patients at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021.

METHODS

This retrospective descriptive study utilized our institutional database to identify patients who underwent a surgical procedure for HBPTB and their associated risk factors. Inclusion criteria required biopsy or microbiologic proof of tuberculous involvement of the biliary tract or nearby structures.

RESULTS

Among a total of 45 patients, the most common admitting diagnosis were HBP tuberculosis (37.8%) and malignancy (35.6%). 47.6% of patients had a previous or concurrent TB exposure. Sixty percent had subclinical malnutrition indicated by normal weight and low albumin. The liver (37.8%) and the bile ducts (33.3%) were the most common organs involved. The most common surgical procedures done were ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, biliary enteric anastomosis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without stenting (ERCP).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides additional data for clinicians to tailor diagnostic and treatment plans accordingly. Striking a balance between surgical procedures and appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) is essential for successful treatment. Local data can be useful to help identify tuberculosis patterns unique to Filipinos and highlight socio-economic factors contributing to this rare presentation of TB.

Human ; Tuberculosis, Extrapulmonary ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; General Surgery ; Acute Care Surgery ; Liver Diseases ; Pancreas

Objectives: This study aims to describe the clinical profile of patients with tuberculosis of the spine admitted at PCMC from the year 2012-2022. Moreover, this study aims to describe the clinical profile (age, gender, BMI, area of residence) of the patients with tuberculosis of the spine admitted at PCMC from the years 2012-2022. It also aims to present the known BCG vaccination status, exposure and risk factors (nutritional factors, comorbidities), of these patients. This study presents the symptomatology (including the spinal level of involvement, and severity, sensory or motor dysfunction) and the medical and/or surgical treatment and the outcome of these identified patients.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review at PCMC analyzed children under 19 diagnosed with Pott’s Disease from January 2013 to December 2022. The study, approved by the Institutional Review Board, included demographic data, clinical manifestations, BCG vaccination status, treatment details, and outcomes, while excluding non-Filipino patients and readmissions.

Results: This study examined 41 pediatric patients with Pott’s disease at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center from 2012 to 2022, primarily affecting males aged 10-15. Most patients were from low-income backgrounds. Symptoms included chronic back pain, fever, and neurological issues, with advanced imaging required for diagnosis. While 93% had received BCG vaccinations, the correlation with disease severity was inconclusive. Treatment involved anti-tuberculous agents, with surgery for severe cases. Despite improvements, none were disease-free, highlighting chronic disabilities. The findings emphasize the need for better management of spinal tuberculosis and increased BCG vaccination among children in high TB-burden areas.

Conclusion: The study evaluated the clinical profile and clinical features of children with Pott’s Disease who were treated at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) between the years 2012-2022. The data from the study identifies the BCG vaccine may not prevent the onset of Pott's disease.

Keywords: Pott’s Disease, Clinical Profiles, Treatment Outcomes

Human ; Male ; Female ; Infant Newborn: First 28 Days After Birth ; Infant: 1-23 Months ; Child Preschool: 2-5 Yrs Old ; Child: 6-12 Yrs Old ; General Surgery ; Child ; Bcg Vaccine ; Mycobacterium Bovis ; Patients ; Risk Factors ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of posterior three-columns osteotomy in the treatment of severe tuberculous angular kyphosis. METHODS: Total of 33 patients with severe tuberculous angular kyphosis were treated with posterior three-columns osteotomy from January 2006 to January 2019 including 24 males and 9 females with an average age of (40.6±23.3) years old ranging from 15 to 62 years old and an average disease duration of (23.5±15.5) years ranging from 4 to 40 years. The Cobb's angle of kyphosis was (118.65±28.82)°. Interradicular bone-disc-bone osteotomy(BDBO), posterior-only vertebral column resection (PVCR) and posterior multilevel vertebral osteotomy (PMVO) were performed to correct spinal deformity individually. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), ASIA spinal cord functional classification and motor function score, and deformity correction rate were measured and statistically analyzed before, after and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: Total of 33 patients were followed up from 15 to 96 months with an average of (38.00±6.38) months. The last follow-up of kyphosis Cobb angle (23.88±5.45)° showed no significant loss from postoperative 12 months (20.40±9.13)°, P>0.05. The SVA, VAS, ODI and ASIA spinal cord functional classification and motor function score were significantly improved at 1 year and last follow-up after operation(P<0.01). The fusion time of the osteotomy site was (18.50±5.16) months. The ASIA classification of 15 patients with spinal cord injury were improved by at least 2 grades after operation, and their daily life and work ability were various levels of restored. Postoperative complications of spinal cord injury occurred in 3 cases. CONCLUSION Posterior three-columns osteotomy is the most effective method for the treatment of angular kyphosis of spinal tuberculosis.Careful preoperative design and individualized osteotomy can not only correct the deformity, but also a successful decompression to the spinal cord and promote the recovery of spinal cord function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Tuberculosis, Spinal/complications* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication in treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis empyema. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2020, 122 cases of tuberculous empyema treated by decortication in Department of Surgery, Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 100 males and 22 females, aged(M(IQR)) 29.5(28.0) years (range: 13 to 70 years). According to the surgical approach and drug resistance, patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication were included in group A (n=22), and those who underwent thoracotomy decortication were included in group B (n=28). Drug-sensitive patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication were included in group C (n=72). There was no statistical difference in the baseline data of the three groups (P>0.05). The operation, early postoperative recovery, and prognosis-related indicators were compared among three groups by Kruskal-Wallis test and χ² test by Mann-Whitney U test and Bonferroni method between groups A and B, groups A and C. Results: The intraoperative blood loss of group A, group B, and group C was 200(475) ml, 300(200) ml, and 225(300) ml, respectively. There was no significant difference in intraoperative hemorrhage (H=2.74, P=0.254) and treatment outcome (χ²=4.76, P=0.575) among the three groups. Compared with group B, the operation time of group A (302.5(187.5) minutes vs. 200.0(60.0) minutes, U=171.0, P=0.007) and postoperative pulmonary reexpansion duration (4.5(3.0) months vs. 3.0 (2.2) months, U=146.5, P=0.032) were longer, and the postoperative drainage duration (9.5(7.8) days vs. 13.0(10.0) days, U=410.0, P=0.044), and the postoperative hospitalization time (12.0(7.8) days vs. 14.5(4.8) days, U=462.2, P=0.020) were shorter. There was no significant difference in complications between group A and group B (63.6%(14/22) vs. 71.4%(20/28), χ²=0.34, P=0.558). Compared with group C, the postoperative drainage duration of group A (9.5(7.8) days vs. 7.0(4.0) days, U=543.5, P=0.031), the postoperative hospitalization time (12.0(7.8) days vs. 9.0(4.0) days, U=533.0, P=0.031) and postoperative pulmonary reexpansion duration (4.5(3.0) months vs. 3.0(2.0) months, U=961.5, P=0.001) were longer. The operation time (302.5(187.5) minutes vs. 242.5(188.8) minutes, U=670.5, P=0.278), and complications (63.6%(14/22) vs. 40.3%(29/72), χ²=3.70, P=0.054) were not different between group A and group C. Conclusions: For drug-resistant tuberculous empyema, the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication can achieve the same good therapeutic effect as drug-sensitive tuberculous empyema, and it is as safe as thoracotomy. At the same time, it has the advantage of minimally invasive and can accelerate the early postoperative recovery of patients.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Empyema, Tuberculous/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Drainage ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/surgery*

Objective: To examine the feasibility and technical considerations of thorough debridement using uniportal thoracoscopic surgery for tuberculous empyema complicated by chest wall tuberculosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 38 patients who underwent comprehensive uniportal thoracoscopy debridement for empyema complicated by chest wall tuberculosis in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, from March 2019 to August 2021. There were 23 males and 15 females, aged (M(IQR)) 30 (25) years (range: 18 to 78 years). The patients were cleared of chest wall tuberculosis under general anesthesia and underwent an incision through the intercostal sinus, followed by the whole fiberboard decortication method. Chest tube drainage was used for pleural cavity disease and negative pressure drainage for chest wall tuberculosis with SB tube, and without muscle flap filling and pressure bandaging. If there was no air leakage, the chest tube was removed first, followed by the removal of the SB tube after 2 to 7 days if there was no obvious residual cavity on the CT scan. The patients were followed up in outpatient clinics and by telephone until October 2022. Results: The operation time was 2.0 (1.5) h (range: 1 to 5 h), and blood loss during the operation was 100 (175) ml (range: 100 to 1 200 ml). The most common postoperative complication was prolonged air leak, with an incidence rate of 81.6% (31/38). The postoperative drainage time of the chest tube was 14 (12) days (range: 2 to 31 days) and the postoperative drainage time of the SB tube was 21 (14) days (range: 4 to 40 days). The follow-up time was 25 (11) months (range: 13 to 42 months). All patients had primary healing of their incisions and there was no tuberculosis recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Uniportal thoracoscopic thorough debridement combined with postoperative standardized antituberculosis treatment is safe and feasible for the treatment of tuberculous empyema with chest wall tuberculosis, which could achieve a good long-term recovery effect.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Abscess/complications* ; Empyema, Pleural/etiology* ; Empyema, Tuberculous/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Wall ; Debridement/adverse effects* ; China ; Chest Tubes/adverse effects* ; Tuberculosis/complications* ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Drainage

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of three different methods of binding multi-fold rib graft, iliac bone graft and titanium mesh graft in tuberculosis of thoracic vertebra by approach of transverse rib process. METHODS: A hundred and seven patients with tuberculosis of thoracic vertebra received surgical treatment from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according different methods of bone graft. The surgical approach of the transverse rib process was used in all 107 patients, after thoroughly remove the necrotic tissue of tuberculosis, three different bone grafts were used respectively including iliac bone graft (36 cases, group A), binding multi-fold rib graft (35 cases, group B), titanium mesh bone graft (36 cases, group C). Perioperative indexes, the time required for bone graft during operation, intraoperation blood loss, the loss rate of the anterior edge of the lesion, Cobb angle, postoperative bone graft fusion time, spinal nerve recovery and Oswestry Disability Index were compared among three groups. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 13 to 24 months, and the operation time required for bone graft was (23.2±4.1) min in group A, (23.8± 4.4)min in group B, and (25.5±4.2) min in group C, with no statistically significant difference among three groups ( CONCLUSION The approach of transverse rib process for debridement of lesions can effectively treat tuberculosis of thoracic vertebra by binding multi-fold rib graft, iliac bone graft and titanium mesh graft, but binding multi-fold rib graft can effectively avoid iliac bone donor complications, and is an effective alternative to iliac bone graft, which is worth popularizing.
Bone Transplantation ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribs/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion ; Surgical Mesh ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Titanium ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Spinal/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and superiority of direct lateral interbody fusion combined with posterior percutaneous screw fixation in the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: From June 2013 to August 2016, the clinical data of 83 patients with lumbar tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed, including 55 males and 28 females, aged from 27 to 72 (49.5±13.5) years. These 83 patients were divided into two groups according to different operation methods, 35 cases in group A were treated with direct lateral interbody fusion combined with posterior percutaneous screw fixation;48 cases in group B were treated with anterior traditional extraperitoneal debridement combined with posterior internal fixation. After operation, regular quadruple antituberculosis drugs were continued for 18 months. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, bone graft fusion time and complications were compared between the two groups. Visual analogue score (VAS) of lumbar pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), sagittal Cobb angle, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) values before and after operation were analyzed. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in both groups, and the operation mode was not changed during operation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay were (149.4±13.3) min, (354.3±69.0) ml, (9.4±1.6) d in group A and(116.8±10.0) min, (721.9±172.3) ml, (11.8±1.7) d in group B, respectively, with significant difference between the two groups ( CONCLUSION The two kinds of operation can obtain satisfactory clinical effect. Direct lateral interbody fusion combined with posterior percutaneous screw fixation can reduce intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay, which is conducive to early rehabilitation of patients.
Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Male ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Spinal/surgery*