Objective: This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic spinal tuberculosis focus removal, posterior pedicle lesion removal, bone grafting, and internal fixation combined with drug chemotherapy in treating thoracolumbar tuberculosis. It also seeks to summarize strategies for preventing complications and provide a reference for clinical treatment.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 105 patients with spinal tuberculosis treated in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n=38), who underwent endoscopic spinal tuberculosis focus removal, and Group B (n=67), who underwent posterior pedicle lesion removal, bone grafting, and internal fixation. All patients received preoperative quadruple anti-tuberculosis drug chemotherapy (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol) for 2– 4 weeks. We recorded and compared parameters such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, recovery time, hospital stay, blood transfusion, and complications. We also compared pre- and postoperative lumbar VAS, ODI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Procalcitonin, D-Dimer, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio, hemoglobin, total protein, and Cobb angle to evaluate kyphotic deformity and correction.
Results: Preoperative data including age, sex, body mass index, segment involvement, past medical history, smoking history, preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Procalcitonin, D-Dimer, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio, hemoglobin, total protein, lumbar VAS score, lumbar ODI score, and spinal Cobb’s angle showed no significant difference between the groups (P> 0.05). Main postoperative indicators revealed that Group A had significantly lower lumbar VAS scores, higher hemoglobin and total protein levels, and a lower recurrence rate than Group B at the last follow-up (P< 0.05). Secondary postoperative indicators showed that Group A required significantly less blood transfusion, had shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, shorter postoperative hospitalization time, and lower Cobb Angle than Group B (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Endoscopic spinal tuberculosis focus removal can achieve comparable safety to posterior pedicle lesion removal, bone grafting, and internal fixation, with shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, lower postoperative recurrence rate, and less postoperative drainage. This method can effectively improve blood sedimentation, lumbar function, restore Cobb angle, and reduce pain, making it worthy of promotion and application.

Keywords: spinal tuberculosis, focus clearance, infectious diseases of spine, drug chemotherapy