Purposes:

In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic debridement and drainage (PTEDD) with accurate pathogen detection for patients with infectious spondylitis of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spines.

Methods:

From Jan 2017 to Feb 2019, a consecutive series of 43 patients with infectious spondylitis of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine were surgically treated with PTEDD. Organism culture, next-generation DNA sequencing, and pathological examination of the sample extracted from the infectious site were performed for accurate microbiological diagnosis. All patients were followed up for 24-36 months. Clinical and radiological outcomes were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

Surgeries were completed successfully on all 43 patients under local infiltration anesthesia. Positive culture of the responsible organism was obtained in 33 cases (76.7%). Among the 43 patients who underwent next-generation DNA sequencing, 42 (97.7%) had positive results. Corresponding antibiotic medication was given based on the pathogen detection. The modified Macnab criteria were found to be excellent in 32 patients (74.4%) and good in 11 (25.6%). Postoperative MRI showed that the abscess and infectious area were reduced significantly at 3 months and had disappeared or almost disappeared at the final follow-up. Spontaneous fusion was obtained in 30 patients (69.8%). No patients required revision or conversion to open debridement and reconstruction.

Conclusions:

For patients with infectious spondylitis of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, PTEDD is an effective and safe treatment. Next-generation DNA sequencing is a much more sensitive method for detecting the responsible organisms.