We report the long-term results of 49 patients diagnosed with tuberculous spondylitis, who were treated surgically. Subjects included 16 males and 33 females, 12 to 80 years-old (average age 54.7 years). The period of follow up was 3 months to 17 years (average 6.8 years). Neurological de ficits were recognized in 24 patients (49%). We perfomed anterior fusion in 41 patients, posterior fusion with instrument ation in 4, costotransversectomy in 2, posterior, curettage in 2.
Generally, we performed radical resection of spinal focus and bone grafting using the anterior approach for the patients with tuberculous spondylitis. We added posterior fusion with instrumentation for 6 patients who did not achieve bone union after anterior fusion. We achieved bone union in all patients finally. Improvement in gait ability was good in almost aupatients, but in 4 patiens who had complications gait ability renamed poor.
