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INTRODUCTION
Management of spinal infections is challenging owing to their unclear initial presentation, varied manifestations, and complex mechanisms of progression [1]. The incidence rate of spinal infections is low (2.4 cases per 100000 persons); however, the disease course varies between mild and curable infections and severe infections causing chronic pain, weakness, paralysis, sepsis, and even death despite antibiotic and surgical treatment [4,8].
Appropriate antibiotic treatment is essential for successful nonsurgical treatment. Criteria for surgical intervention are as follows : disease refractory to conservative management, spinal cord compression causing neurological deficit, progressive instability secondary to significant bony and soft tissue destruction, and chronic infection-induced severe scoliosis or kyphosis [14,15].
Spinal infections usually affect the vertebral body; thus, an anterior surgical approach is commonly recommended to enable debridement of the lesion and vertebral column reconstruction using autogenous bone grafts or a metal cage [2]. Several biological and mechanical spacers such as allografts, autografts, and metal cages are used for post-corpectomy anterior column reconstruction. To date, reconstruction using a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts after radical debridement of the lesion is controversial [23].
However, autogenous bone grafts are associated with donor site morbidity such as postoperative pain. Thus, several recent reports have described vertebral osteomyelitis treated with anterior reconstruction using a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts. These results show that the use of metal cages did not adversely affect the clinical and radiological outcomes in these patients. However, these results were not reported by casecontrol studies [9,21,25,26]. Therefore, this study evaluated and compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes in 17 patients with infectious spondylitis who underwent anterior debridement and reconstruction using either autogenous bone grafts or a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was approved by Institutional Review Board of Ulsan University Hospital (2018-09-032).
Patients
This study included 25 patients diagnosed with infectious thoracolumbar spondylitis who underwent anterior radical debridement and reconstruction using either autogenous bone grafts or a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts at the hospital where this study was performed between February 2006 and January 2017. All patients were diagnosed with infectious spondylitis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and additional laboratory tests were performed.
Between February 2006 and June 2012, autogenous bone graft was used for all patients. After then, all patients were treated with a metal cage with allogenic bone graft, because metal cage with allogenic bone graft was reported to be successful [9,21,25,26].
Autogenous bone grafts were used in 13 patients (group 1) and a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts in 12 patients (group 2). infectious spondylitis was diagnosed based on clinical examination (positive physical or neurological symptoms), laboratory findings (elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C-reactive protein [CRP] values), and radiographic and MRI findings. All 25 patients were followed-up for at least 24 months.
Assessment of variables
Patient’s medical records including admission, emergency department, and inpatient progress notes, surgical and radiological reports, microbiological laboratory results, and discharge summaries were reviewed.
Clinical findings were assessed by instructing patients to qualify their pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) using a scale of 0–10 (0, no pain; 10, worst possible pain) preoperatively, as well as 1-, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The severity of the neurological status was assessed using the Frankel scale preoperatively, as well as 1-, 12, and 24 months postoperatively (Table 1) [6,12].
Table 1.
The Frankel scale for spinal cord injury that classifies the extent of the neurological/functional deficit into five grades [6]
Laboratory tests included estimation of ESR and CRP values preoperatively, as well as 1-, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.
Radiographic examination was performed to compare the correction in the sagittal Cobb angle. The Cobb angle was defined as the angle between the superior endplate of the vertebra above the level of instrumentation and the inferior endplate of the vertebra below this level (Fig. 1). The Cobb angle was measured preoperatively, postoperatively, 12 months postoperatively and, 24 months postoperatively. The difference between the preoperative Cobb angle and the 2-year postoperative Cobb angle was defined as the Cobb angle change. Fusion was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 months postoperatively. Grade of 1 or 2 on CT imaging was defined as a successful bony fusion by using CT-based classification (grade I : complete fusion, implies cortical union of the allograft and central trabecular continuity; grade II : partial fusion, implies cortical union of the structural allograft with partial trabecular incorporation; grade III : unipolar pseudarthrosis, denotes superior or inferior cortical non-union of the central allograft with partial trabecular discontinuity centrally; and grade IV : bipolar pseudarthrosis, suggests both superior and inferior cortical nonunion with a complete lack of central trabecular continuity) [22].
Statistical analysis
The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used for categorical data analysis such as intergroup comparison of sex, the Frankel scale, and bone union, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for mean comparison such as intergroup comparison of age, mean number of infected vertebral segments, mean number of segments of posterior instrumented vertebrae, mean number of segments of anterior instrumented vertebrae, VAS, ESR, CRP values, and the sagittal Cobb angle. The SPSS software version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Surgical technique
All patients underwent anterior debridement and reconstruction using the anterior transthoracic or retroperitoneal approach. All operations were performed by a single spine specialist (J.R.C.). All operations were performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Vital signs including blood pressure, heart rhythm, and pulse oxygenation levels were monitored by anesthesiologists in all patients. Radical debridement and removal of all infected tissue was performed with complete decompression of the spinal cord. Smears and cultures were obtained, and the surgical field was copiously irrigated with normal saline solution. After radical debridement, the length of the defect was measured, and a tricortical iliac bone block and a cancellous bone graft (Fig. 2) or a metal cage (The VLIFT® Vertebral Body Replacement System, titanium; Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) with an allogenic bone graft (Fig. 3) was inserted into the space between the normal vertebrae. The wound was closed after drain insertion. All patients wore a rigid orthosis for at least 3 months postoperatively and received systemic antibiotic treatment based on antibiotic sensitivity studies for identified pathogens. Intravenous antibiotic administration was continued for at least 6 weeks postoperatively. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered to patients with negative culture results.
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RESULTS
Demographic data
The mean age of groups 1 and 2 was 73.5±15.9 and 73.4±8.7 years, respectively, and no significant intergroup difference was observed with respect to age (p=0.837). In group 1, there were five men (38.5%) and eight women (61.5%), and in group 2, there were six men (50.0%) and six women (50.0%). There was no significant difference in sex between the groups (p=0.561). The mean number of infected vertebral segments in group 1 was 1.2±0.6 and in group 2 was 1.3±0.5, and no significant intergroup difference was observed with respect to this parameter (p=1.000). The mean number of segments of posterior instrumented vertebrae in group 1 was 3.1±1.0 and in group 2 was 3.3±0.5, and no significant intergroup difference was observed with respect to this parameter (p=1.000). The mean number of segments of anterior instrumented vertebrae in group 1 was 1.3±0.6 and in group 2 was 1.2±0.4, and no significant intergroup difference was observed with respect to this parameter (p=0.650). The causative bacteria were isolated in 19 of 25 (76.0%) biopsy cultures, either pre- or intraoperatively. Staphylococcus aureus was the causative pathogen in 13 of the 25 (52.0%) patients investigated in this study (six were oxacillinsensitive strains and seven were oxacillin-resistant strains). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis infections occurred in six patients (Table 2).
Table 2.
Patients’ demographic data
Clinical results
Both groups showed a significant reduction in severe back pain related to infectious spondylitis. In group 1, back pain decreased from a mean VAS score of 8.13±1.33 preoperatively to a VAS score of 5.00±0.71 1 month postoperatively, to a VAS score of 1.78±0.83 at the 12 months postoperatively, and to a VAS score of 1.67±0.71 at the 24 months postoperatively. In group 2, back pain decreased from a mean VAS score of 7.89± 0.93 preoperatively to a VAS score of 3.56±0.73 1 month postoperatively, to a VAS score of 1.56±0.53 at the 12 months postoperatively, and to a VAS score of 1.62±0.74 at the 24 months postoperatively. No significant intergroup difference was observed preoperatively (p=0.690), at the 12 months postoperatively (p=0.666), and at the 24 months postoperatively (p=0.878). However, group 1 patients showed a significantly higher VAS score than group 2 patients 1 month postoperatively (p=0.002) (Table 3, Fig. 4).
 | Fig. 4.This is a graph showing the change of VAS after operation. In both groups, VAS was decreased after operation, but VAS of group 1 was significantly higher than group 2 at 1 month postoperatively. VAS : visual analogue scale.
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Table 3.
Comparison of clinical outcomes before surgery and after surgery – VAS score
| Group 1 | Group 2 | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preoperatively | 8.13±1.33 | 7.89±0.93 | 0.690 |
| 1 month postoperatively | 5.00±0.71 | 3.56±0.73 | 0.002* |
| 12 months postoperatively | 1.78±0.83 | 1.56±0.53 | 0.666 |
| 24 months postoperatively | 1.67±0.71 | 1.62±0.74 | 0.878 |
Neurological deficits improved in both groups. The Frankel scale was compared between the groups preoperatively (p=0.543), 1 month postoperatively (p=0.863), at the 12 months ostoperatively (p=0.821), and at the 24 months postoperatively (p=0.821). No significant intergroup difference was observed in the Frankel scale. No postoperative neurological deterioration was observed (Table 4).
Table 4.
Comparison of clinical outcomes before surgery and after surgery – Frankel scale
Laboratory findings
Elevated CRP and ESR values returned to within normal limits at the 24 months postoperatively in both groups. No recurrent infection occurred (Table 5, Fig. 5A and B).
 | Fig. 5.These are graphs showing the change of ESR (A), CRP (B), and Cobb angle (C) after operation. There were no significant difference between the two groups. ESR : erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP : C-reactive protein.
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Table 5.
Comparison of laboratory findings before surgery and after surgery
Radiographic results
No significant intergroup difference was observed preoperatively (p=0.936), at postoperatively (0.810) at the 12 months postoperatively (p=1.000), and at the 24 months postoperatively (p=0.769) in Cobb angle. There was no significant difference in Cobb angle change between group 1 (4.17±7.93) and group 2 (4.55±8.67) (p=0.574) (Table 6, Fig. 5C).
Table 6.
Comparison of radiographic findings before surgery and after surgery
| Cobb angle | Group 1 | Group 2 | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preoperatively | 1.97±13.67 | 1.94±19.55 | 0.936 |
| Postoperatively | 8.98±8.71 | 8.50±16.13 | 0.810 |
| 12 months postoperatively | 7.20±8.83 | 7.20±15.22 | 1.000 |
| 24 months postoperatively | 6.14±9.60 | 6.49±15.57 | 0.769 |
| Cobb angle change* | 4.17±7.93 | 4.55±8.67 | 0.574 |
Bony union was confirmed in all patients (25 patients, 100%) at CT 24 months postoperatively. Group 1 had 12 patient in grade 1 and one patient in grade 2 and, group 2 had 10 patients in grade 1 and two patients in grade 2, but no statistically significant difference (p=0.593).
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DISCUSSION
Patients with infectious spondylitis are treated with radical debridement followed by anterior column reconstruction using various biological and mechanical spacers, including autografts, allografts, and metal cages [23]. The defect created after debridement is commonly repaired using autogenous bone grafts from the fibula or the iliac crest. However, this procedure is associated with an approximately 25% increase in chronic morbidity [7,10,17,18,20]. Allogenic bone grafts score over autogenous grafts in that they obviate the need for a donor sites, eliminate harvest site-related postoperative pain, and reduce added costs. However, the risk of allograft-related infection/disease transmission cannot be ignored. The use of metal cages for vertebral reconstruction and stabilization after debridement of an infected site is controversial, and few smallscale retrospective cohort studies have reported such cases. Recent studies have reported stability, safety, and low recurrence rates associated with the use of metal cages to treat spinal infections [7,11,16,19]. An observational cohort study was performed across five tertiary care Korean hospitals. The study enrolled 153 patients with spinal infection who required surgical treatment. Among these patients, 94 (61.4%) underwent non-instrumented surgery and 59 (38.6%) underwent instrumented surgery. The results showed that spinal instrumentation did not adversely affect clinical outcomes [13]. Several recent reports describe patients with vertebral osteomyelitis treated with anterior reconstruction using metal cages with allogenic bone grafts. These studies showed that using metal cages did not adversely affect the clinical and/or radiological outcomes; however, these studies were not case-control studies [9,21,25,26]. Therefore, this study analyzed several parameters to compare between the use of autogenous bone grafts and metal cages with allogenic bone grafts in patients undergoing anterior reconstruction.
The patients enrolled in this study underwent anterior radical debridement and corpectomy. Autogenous bone grafts were initially used for reconstruction following the corpectomy. However, with a growing number of studies showing that the use of metal cages was not associated with adverse results, metal cages with allogenic bone grafts were introduced for reconstruction to eliminate harvest-site pain associated with autogenous bone grafts. Among the 25 patients enrolled in this study, autogenous bone grafts were used in 13 (group 1), and a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts was used in 12 patients (group 2), and intergroup comparisons were performed with respect to several parameters.
Clinical findings were assessed using the VAS and Frankel scales. Patients from both groups had decreased back pain based on VAS scores, and no significant intergroup difference was observed at the 1-year and 2-year follow-up postoperatively. However, group 1 patients showed a significantly higher VAS score than group 2 patients, 1 month postoperatively, which could be attributed to bone harvest site pain in the former group. In this study, the iliac crest was used to obtain bone grafts. Postoperative pain and harvest-site infection, prolonged operation time, and increased bleeding are known complications of autogenous iliac crest bone grafting [3]. Younger and Chapman [24] reported a harvest site morbidity rate of 8% associated with autogenous iliac crest bone grafting, and Fernyhough et al. [5] reported a morbidity rate >30% associated with an incorrect harvest site incision. Metal cages with allogenic bone grafts have advantage over the harvest-site complications compared to autogenous bone grafts.
All patients in this study showed improved postoperative neurological function and ESR and CRP values. No significant intergroup difference was observed in radiographic parameters.
The limitations of this study are as follows : 1) this was a small-scale study that included only 25 patients. 2) Owing to the retrospective study design, patients who received other treatment were not included for comparison, and the study lacks randomization. Although this was a small-scale study, it is reasonable to conclude that the results of this study would be meaningful because this is the first case-control study to investigate this subject. Large-scale prospective controlled studies are warranted for accurate intergroup comparisons between the aforementioned patient groups to draw definitive conclusions.
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CONCLUSION
Laboratory and radiographic findings, as well as clinical outcomes did not significantly differ between group 1 (patients who underwent autogenous bone grafting) and group 2 (patients who underwent metal cage implantation with allogenic bone grafting). Group 2 patients showed lower VAS scores than group 1 patients 1 month postoperatively. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the use of a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts could offer the advantage of eliminating bone harvest site pain associated with autogenous bone grafting. Although the use of a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts for anterior column reconstruction remains controversial, our results suggest that it can be considered as an effective treatment of option for anterior column reconstruction in patients with infectious spondylitis.
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