Objective:

To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of percutaneous spinal endoscopic debridement and lavage for the treatment of sacroiliac joint tuberculosis.

Methods:

The clinical data of 7 patients with sacroiliac joint tuberculosis treated with percutaneous spinal endoscopic debridement and lavage from January 2007 to April 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 males and 5 females, aged from 29 to 69 years old, 4 cases on the right side of the lesion and 3 cases on the left side. The course ranged from 8 to 144 months. According to Kim classification, 5 cases were type Ⅲ and 2 cases were type Ⅳ. All patients were treated with HRZE quadruple anti tuberculosis drugs for 2 to 6 weeks beforeoperation. VAS, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared before and after surgery.

Results:

All the operations were successful, the intraoperative blood loss was less than 50 ml on average, and no complications such as hematoma and infection were occurred. The follow-up time of 7 cases ranged from 18 to 40 months. Pain relief was obvious, and there was a statistical result in the VAS, ESR, and ODI of the patients at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 months after operation compared with before treatment. At the final follow-up, the patient’s clinical, imaging and laboratory examinations showed that the infection had disappeared, and the patient returned to normal life and work.

Conclusion:

Percutaneous spine endoscopic debridement and lavage has less tissue trauma, targeted operation, definite curative effects, and quick postoperative recovery, which has explored new options for minimally invasive treatment of sacroiliac joint tuberculosis.