Anterior debridement, fusion, and extrafocal stabilization in the treatment of osteomyelitis of the spine

To simplify and shorten the rehabilitation after anterior debridement and f usion In pyogenic and tuberculous osteomyelitis of the spine, the role of a dditional extrafocal dorsal transpedicular instrumentation was studied. Thi rty-three (10 female, 23 male) patients were followed up in a prospective s tudy and controlled with an average follow-up period of 22.1 months after t he operation with clinical and neurologic check-up, blood test, and serial radiographs. Solid bony fusion and healing of the infection was achieved in all patients. Preoperative deformities could be corrected, and there were no life-threatening complications. Dorsal extrafocal stabilization offered the advantage of braceless rehabilitation without adding unpredictable risk s.