The outcome of Posterio-lateral Decompression and Transpedicle Fixation for Thoracic Spine Tuberculosis

Objective:  The study assessed the outcome of posterio-lateral decompression and trans-pedicle fixation for thoracic spine tuberculosis. Materials and Methods:  An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. All those patients who had undergone posterio-lateral decompression and trans-pedicle fixation for thoracic spine tuberculosis were included. Both genders with ages more than 14 years were included in our study. Ethical committee approval was taken. Pre-designed proforma was used for data entry. Patients’ data were analysed through SPSS software. Results:  A total of 31 patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis were studied. The age ranged from 15 – 57 years with a mean of 37.74 ± 10.07 years. Most of the patients with thoracic TB were male 54.8% (17/31). Pain improved in all the patients and neurology improved in most of the cases. The dural tear was in one patient and one patient had a wound infection. There was no mortality. Conclusions:  We conclude from the study that posterior-lateral decompression and trans-pedicle fixation for thoracic spine tuberculosis is a safe procedure. It has good results in terms of pain relief and neurological improvement. This procedure has an acceptable complications rate. Therefore, it can be considered as a better alternative to other surgical procedures for thoracic spine tuberculosis.