The analysis of safety and effectiveness of using allografts in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis-a multicentre retrospective study

AIM To evaluate the clinical efficacy and fusion characteristics of allografts in spinal tuberculosis (TB). MATERIAL AND METHODS The research reviewed 1196 patients with spinal tuberculosis who received treatment at six hospitals from January 2000 to January 2016. A total of 623 patients who had spinal tuberculosis were included in the study. All patients underwent debridement, decompression, allograft bone grafting, and instrumentation. Postoperative treatment consisted of a combination of anti-TB drug treatment for 18 months and brace fixed braking for 3-9 months. Clinical outcome, laboratory indexes, and radiological results were analysed. RESULTS The average follow-up time was 34.1 months (12-60 months). Pain was relieved postoperatively in all cases, and 87.8% of patients were painless at the final follow-up. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) significantly decreased and returned to normal at the final follow-up. The fusion rate of allografts was 30.2% and 98.4% at the 9- and 12-month follow-ups, respectively. At the final follow-up, the fusion rate was 100%. CONCLUSION The application of allografts in the surgical management of spinal tuberculosis is safe and effective. Allografts can replace autografts in surgeries for spinal tuberculosis.