• Shuai Xing, Yanzheng Gao, Kun Gao, Guangquan Zhang, and Zhenghong Yu.
• Henan Province Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Cord, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, No.7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450003, China.
• Spine. 2016 Jan 1; 41 (2): 104-10.

Study DesignA retrospective analysis of 11 cases.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of anterior cervical and retropharyngeal debridement combined with posterior occipital-cervical fusion in treatment of upper cervical spinal tuberculosis.Summary Of Background DataThe anterior approach simply could not provide strong fixation whereas the posterior treatment could not clear up the lesions completely. The method combining anterior and posterior approaches to treat the upper cervical tuberculosis is advisable.MethodsThe clinical data of 11 patients with upper cervical tuberculosis who underwent an upper cervical operation in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All 11 patients underwent the surgery of anterior cervical and retropharyngeal approaches to debridement, and then, according to the different degrees of patient pedicle destruction and deformity, different occipitocervical approaches were used (either through pedicle screw or laminar screw fixation). After surgery, antituberculosis drugs were administered for 18 months. During the follow-up, neurological function, clinical symptoms, fusion, reducible degree, and complications were all evaluated and documented.ResultsSurgeries for 11 patients were performed successfully; anatomical reduction was achieved in nine cases, bony fusion was achieved in all 11 patients, and all cases with tuberculosis were clinically cured in the 18 months after the operation. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from 8.4 ± 1.3 preoperative to 15.0 ± 1.3 in the last follow-up (P < 0.05). The occipitocervical visual analog scale decreased from 6.7 ± 0.6 preoperative to 0.6 ± 0.6 at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). No serious complications were documented during follow-up.ConclusionThe approach of anterior cervical and retropharyngeal debridement combined with posterior occipitocervical fusion has been proved to be an effective treatment of upper cervical tuberculosis, which plays an important role in removing the lesions, restoring stability, and anatomical reduction.Level Of Evidence4.

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