Debridement, decompression, and interbody fusion using biportal spine endoscopy in patients with lumbar spinal tuberculosis: 1 year follow-up

Objectives: The study is aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of debridement, decompression and interbody fusion by using biportal spine endoscopy for treating treat patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal tuberculosis (LST). Methods Forty patients with LST who underwent debridement, decompression, and interbody fusion using biportal spine endoscopy between January 2020 to March 2022 were included in the study. The operation time, blood loss, complication rate, fusion rate, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and kyphotic Cobb’s angle were measured to explore the effects on patients with LST. Results The patients were followed up for 12–16 months, and the mean follow-up period was 14.6 months. The mean operation time was 223.4 ± 94.4 min (range, 140–410 min), with a mean blood loss of 235.0 ± 190.5 cc (range, 120–700 cc). The VAS (1.57 ± 0.65) and ODI (8.29 ± 3.05) scores at the last phase of follow-up were significantly lesser than the preoperative scores (5.86 ± 0.86 and 74.29 ± 6.26, respectively). Additionally, the mean JOA score increased from 10.29 ± 2.58 (preoperatively) to 24.93 ± 1.86 (postoperatively). Meanwhile, the mean preoperative ESR and CRP (74.36 ± 8.18 and 71.28 ± 8.58, respectively) decreased to average values. The preoperative kyphotic Cobb’s angle of 21.40 ± 2.22° decreased to 9.86 ± 0.76° postoperatively. However, the kyphotic correction remained unchanged at the last phase of the follow-up. Furthermore, the fusion rate was 100%. The complication rate was 7.5% (three case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage). Conclusion Debridement, decompression, and interbody fusion using biportal spine endoscopy might be ideal for treating patients with LST.