[Anterior retropharyngeal debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of anterior debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.


METHODS
From February 2005 to February 2013, 7 patients, 3 males and 4 females, with atlantoaxial Tuberculosis underwent anterior debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion in Department of Orthopedics Zhengzhou University People's Hospital were selected.In the preoperative and final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA), neck disability index (NDI) and Frankel Classification were used to evaluate neurological function and calculate improvement rate.At final follow-up, clinical efficacy was evaluated by Odom's grade.Situation of internal fixation, fusion of upper cervical were assessed by X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan.


RESULTS
Bony fusion were achieved in 7 cases after operation in 12 months. Tuberculosis were reached clinical cure between 17 and 21 months. At follow The JOA score increased from (11.1±0.7) preoperatively to (15.3±0.5) in final follow-up(P<0.05), and the NDI decreased from (34.0±4.6) preoperatively to (10.1±1.3) in final follow-up (P<0.05). At last follow-up, according to Odom's standard, excellent were obtained in 5 cases, good 1 cases and ordinary 1 case. Frankel Classification of all cases improved from D class to E.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of anterior retropharyngeal debridement combine with atlantoaxial fusion, and local anti-tuberculosis drug using intraoperative, not only could obtain reliable clinical efficacy, completly removal of lesions, but also obtain strong stability, which plays an important role in the treatment of atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.
Department of Orthopedics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Zhengzhou University People's Hospital), Zhengzhou 450003, China.
Y Z
YZ
Gao
S
S
Xing
K
K
Gao
X G
XG
Shi
J Y
JY
Zhang
Z Z
ZZ
Yu
Y S
YS
Kang
D001174:Arthrodesis; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*