Effectiveness of titanium mesh cylindrical cages in anterior column reconstruction after vertebral body resection in thoracolumbar spondylitis

dThe safety of implants to maintain alignment and facilitate osseous fusion after thoracolumbar vertebrectomy for pyogenic and tuberculous spondylitis has not been investigated. Twenty-two patients with tuberculous or pyogenic spondylitis were operated with anterior vertebrectomy and reconstruction with a titanium mesh cage followed by posterior transpedicular screw fixations on same day except one case that was operated with anterior approach only. After the affected vertebral body resection and pus drainage, titanium cage filled with morselized autogenous bone graft was inserted. The degree of kyphosis correction and the subsidence of cage were measured. Recurred infection was identified with laboratory findings. There was no case of recurred infection or late sepsis. Postoperatively, most patients showed improvement in kyphosis and unsettling amount of subsidence that was stabilized. Osseous union was identified in all cases at the final follow up.