title: Single-stage anterior debridement and fusion with autografting and internal fixation for pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis can be successfully treated by non-operative methods. However, the typical operation for this condition includes debridement of the infected site, bone grafting and internal fixation to stabilize the spine. Single-stage anterior debridement and fusion with autografting and internal fixation of one spinal segment were performed on nine patients with pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis. This operative procedure is rarely documented for pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of single-stage anterior debridement, autografting and internal fixation of one spinal segment for pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the final follow-up, seven out of the nine patients were pain free. Two patients had mild, intermittent back pain (Visual Analogue Scale rating of 1-2), which represented an improvement from their preoperative pain. All nine patients had no clinical, laboratory or radiological evidence of recurrence of infection. Moreover, all the patients showed solid bony fusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the limited population studied, it suggested that this technique may be a safe and effective operative procedure for appropriate pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis in patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jianshen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Changchun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhenhua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D015299:Discitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome