The radical treatment of tuberculosis of the spine.

The technique of radical treatment of tuberculosis of the spine at various levels is described. Eighty cases out of 158 of spinal caries underwent radical surgery over a period of 7 years. Caseous pus, sequestra, granulation tissue and discs were excised. Rib grafts were used in the dorsal spine and iliac strut grafts in the cervical and lumbar spine, through a direct anterior approach. Sound bony fusion was achieved in 90% of cases. The procedure is technically difficult but recovery is fast and the majority were fit to resume work within 6 months.