• Shiyuan Shi, Xiaozhang Ying, Jun Fei, and Shengping Hu.
• Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hangzhou Chest Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 208 Huancheng East Rd, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
• Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021 Jun 24.

BackgroundDue to the complexity of the anatomical structure and the difficulty of exposing the surgical area, the surgery for spinal tuberculosis in the upper thoracic vertebra (above T6-T7) is complicated and the prognosis is not good. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of posterolateral costotransversectomy using an extrapleural approach in patients with upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 132 patients (including 78 males and 54 females) with upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis who underwent one-stage internal fixation and debridement followed by combined interbody and posterior fusion via posterolateral costotransversectomy using an extrapleural approach. The age ranged from 23 to 82 years (54.5 ± 13.2 years). Lesion segments were distributed from T2 to T7. According to Frankel's spinal cord function evaluation, there were 2 cases of grade A, 6 of grade B, 6 of grade C, 12 of grade D, and 106 of grade E. The preoperative Cobb angle was 16-40° (29.1° ± 6.5°). Operation time, bleeding volume, incision healing, bone graft fusion, deformity correction, and improvement of nerve function were analyzed.ResultsThe operation time ranged from 2.8 to 4.1 h (3.4 ± 0.3 h), and blood loss ranged from 350 to 550 mL (460 ± 47 mL). All incisions healed in the first stage. The bone graft fusion time was 3-6 months (median of 4 months). There was no loosening or broken of the internal fixation. The C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly improved at the end of follow-up in comparison with before surgery. The Cobb angle of the fusion segment was corrected and ranged from 5° to 17° (average of 10.7° ± 3.3°) at the end of follow-up. The nerve function of all patients improved at different degrees by the time of the last follow-up. In the last follow-up, the Frankel grade distribution was 1 case in B grade, 2 cases in grade C, 6 cases in grade D, and 123 cases in grade E.ConclusionPosterolateral costotransversectomy using an extrapleural approach is a safe and effective surgical method that can expose the upper thoracic spine lesions and reduce trauma.

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