Golden wires and rectangle: A cost-effective treatment for tuberculosis of the thoracic spine

Study Design: This was a retrospective study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcome and cost of surgery for tuberculosis (TB) of the thoracic spine between two commonly used fixation modalities “pedicular screws and rods” and “Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires.” Overview of Literature: TB is a common ailment in Asia. Surgical indications have remained almost unchanged since the middle-path regimen was advocated by Tuli. Pedicle screws and Hartshill loop rectangle with sublaminar wires are the two common fixation techniques used. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary center. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the method of fixation (pedicle screw rod/Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires). All patients were evaluated preoperatively by X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were assessed clinically by preoperative and postoperative neurology and Visual Analog Scale score and radiologically assessed by the K angle. These variables were separately compared in both the groups. Results: The functional outcomes of Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation and that of pedicular screw fixation were comparable. Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation was found to be more cost-effective. Conclusion: Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation gets purchase over the posterior column structures alone when compared to pedicle screws which have a 3-column hold. However, when combined with meticulous neural decompression and skillful preparation of osteogenic bed with autologous strut grafting and additional onlay grafting, it gives overall adequate stabilization of the column with functional outcome comparable to pedicular screw and rod fixation with additional benefit of cost-effectiveness. Although Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation is less commonly used now, it has a special place in the management of TB, especially in a resource-poor setting like some countries of Asia.

Key-words:

Hartshill loop rectangle - pedicle screw - sublaminar wires - tuberculosis

Introduction

Spinal tuberculosis (TB) has been found in Egyptian mummies dating back to 3400 BC.[[1]] In 1779, Sir Percival Pott first described spinal deformity and paralysis due to TB;[[2]] hence, it is also known as Pott's spine.[[3]] Although pulmonary affection is the most common form of TB, extrapulmonary TB accounts for 15%–20% of all TB cases.[[4]] Among these, 1%–2% of patients have involvement of the skeletal system, with spinal TB being the most common form of skeletal TB, constituting about 50% of all cases.[[5]] Spinal TB is a very dreaded entity as it involves neurological complications, which occurs in 10%–43%[[2]] of cases. In spite of effective antitubercular drugs, there is a resulting sequel of kyphosis which needed to be addressed by surgical intervention and metallic implants. The use of an implant is considered safe and is well accepted at present[[6]],[[7]] under the cover of effective antituberculous chemotherapy Anti Tuberculous Treatment (ATT).

TB in a resource-poor setting like India and some countries of the Asian continent comes with its own set of socioeconomic issues. Majority of the patients are from urban slums and villages. Hence, providing a cost-effective treatment modality is of utmost importance.[[8]] Two of the commonly used implants for the treatment of spinal TB are “pedicular screws and rods” and “Hartshill loop rectangle with sublaminar wires.” The aim of the present study was to compare the functional outcome and cost-effectiveness of these two fixation methods.

Materials and Methods

Between January 2002 and December 2016, 186 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven thoracic spine TB underwent surgery at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India. Retrospective analysis of the operation theater reports, patient records, and radiographs was done. Patients with healed post tubercular kyphotic deformity were excluded from this study. The presence of neurologic deficit (150 patients) and unstable vertebral column (36 patients) were the indications for surgery. Instability of vertebral column was defined as complete loss of >1 vertebral body with localized kyphosis of >30°, with or without coronal/sagittal plane translation. Patients with Frankel Grade C or D were treated by “middle-path regimen” popularized by Tuli.[[9]] This regimen involves treating patients by bed rest and chemotherapy for a minimum period of 3 weeks before being considered for surgery. Patients who fail to improve after 3–4 weeks of the “middle-path regimen” were considered for surgical intervention. Patients with severe neurological deficit (Frankel Grade A or B) underwent surgery as early as possible.

Demographic data including the patient's age, gender, vertebral levels involved, number of fused segments, bone type used for anterior reconstruction, preoperative and postoperative kyphosis angles (K angle), loss of correction at follow-up, preoperative and postoperative neurological status as assessed by Frankel grading, preoperative and postoperative pain assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and postoperative complications if any were noted, and a case record form was prepared.

Radiographic evaluation

All patients were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and X-rays. In patients with no ambulatory power in their lower limbs or those with imminent paralysis, supine radiographs were acquired. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were performed postoperatively and during follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The K angle was calculated by drawing lines from the upper to the lower border of the first normal vertebra above and below the diseased area, respectively. Computed tomography scans were taken 1 year postoperatively for patients in whom fusion could not be assessed on X-ray.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics, including the means and standard deviations, were calculated for variables using SPSS software 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The paired t-test was used to compare preoperative K angle and VAS score with postoperative values.

Operative procedure

Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the method of instrumentation. Group A consisted of patients with instrumentation done within the thoracic spine segment in the form of Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires [[Figure 1]]. Single incision with combined anterior plus posterior exposure in lateral position (versatile approach)[[10]] was used. Group B consisted of patients with lesion in the thoracic spine requiring extension of fixation up to the upper lumbar spine. Instrumentation in the form of pedicular screw and rod system was done [[Figure 2]]. Posterolateral approach and decompression through a midline posterior incision was used.

Figure 1: Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral X-ray of a patient in Group A (Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire)

Figure 2: Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral X-ray of a patient in Group B (Pedicle screw and rod)

Postoperatively, intermittent change of position while in bed was done to prevent pressure necrosis of wound. Drain removal was done after output became minimal. Mobilization with thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) was done post drain removal depending on the patients' neurological status and pain tolerance. Standing and walking were started once the patient regained ambulatory power. Intraoperative samples from all patients were sent for culture and sensitivity. Antitubercular treatment (ATT) was administered for 18 months as per the drug sensitivity. In cases of drug-resistant TB, ATT was administered for a longer period (2 years).

Results

Cost quotations from the three most commonly used implant companies at our tertiary care center were taken, and the average cost for both the instrumentation methods was determined [[Table 1]] (1 US dollar = 71.62 Indian rupees as per current exchange rates). In the group in which the Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation was used, the most commonly fused segments were 6, while the pedicle screw rod system group had four levels fused most commonly. Hence, the cost was calculated considering these many fusion levels. The average cost of Hartshill rectangle and sublaminar wire construct is 2500 Indian rupees, whereas that for a pedicle screw rod construct is 9300 Indian rupees.

Table 1: Cost of implant (all values in Indian rupees)

All patients underwent a minimum follow-up of 18 months, with a mean follow-up of 61.23 ± 24.57 months (range, 18–156 months). Out of 186 patients, 100 were in Group A (Hartshill + sublaminar wire) and 86 were included in Group B (pedicle screw rod). The results are shown in [[Table 2]]. During the presentation, the mean value of preoperative kyphosis was 25.02° ±8.79° (range, 9°–45°) in Group A and 26.01 ± 9.16 (range, 10°–48°) in Group B. The average number of vertebral bodies involved was 2.07 ± 0.57 (range, 2–4) in Group A and 2.78 ± 0.11 (range, 2–4) in Group B. The mean immediate postoperative K angle was 10.35° ±4.96° (range, 1°–21°) in Group A and 11.77 ± 3.56 (range 3°–23°) in Group B. Improvements in K angle were statistically significant (P < 0.001) in both the groups. Pain improved from an average VAS score of 7.02 ± 0.97 (range, 5–9) preoperatively to 1.27 ± 0.59 (range, 1–3) at the final follow-up in Group A and 7.66 ± 1.27 (range, 4–9) preoperatively to 1.67 ± 0.77 (range, 1–4) at final follow-up in Group B. Improvements were statistically significant (P < 0.01) in both the groups.

Table 2: Results of the two groups of patients

We had two cases of implant failure in Group A and two in Group B. There were four wound-related complications in Group A, out of which two healed by cleaning and dressing while two required secondary suturing. One patient in Group B had infection of a collected hematoma which needed a wound wash. One patient in Group A had buckling of graft [[Figure 3]] which consolidated in mild kyphosis and was managed conservatively by mobilization with TLSO.

Figure 3: Buckling of graft with consolidation in mild kyphosis

In Group A [[Table 3]], 9 patients did not have any neurological deficit preoperatively; their neurological status was unchanged postoperatively. All 7 patients with Frankel Grade D recovered completely. Out of 40 patients with Frankel Grade C, 32 patients recovered fully and 8 patients recovered to Grade D. Out of 44 patients with Frankel Grades A and B, 28 patients recovered completely, 15 patients recovered to Grade D, and 1 patient remained paraplegic.

Table 3: Neurological status of patients operated by Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire

In Group B [[Table 4]], 6 patients did not have any preoperative neurological deficit; their neurological status was unchanged postoperatively. All 10 patients with Frankel Grade D recovered completely. Out of 40 patients with Frankel Grade C, 28 patients recovered fully and 12 patients recovered to Grade D. Out of 30 patients with Frankel Grades A and B, 19 patients recovered completely and 11 patients recovered to Grade D. Improvements were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Fusion was achieved in all cases.

Table 4: Neurological status of patients operated by pedicle screw and rod

We had 16 cases of Multidrug resistance (MDR) TB in our series. As TB is a medical disease, the surgical protocols did not change depending on the MDR status. However, these patients were given appropriate AKT as per the drug sensitivity for a longer period (2 years).

Discussion

TB is among the most ancient diseases known to humankind. It is one of the top 10 infections causing mortality worldwide and is the number one infectious cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients (estimated 1.3 million mortalities due to TB among HIV-negative people and 3 lakh deaths among HIV-positive people). WHO, which considers TB as a pandemic, has created the “STOP TB” strategy[[11]] to end TB infection by the year 2030 and to eliminate TB by the year 2050. India with a population of 1.32 billion is a significant contributor to the burden of TB globally. As of 2017, India contributes (27%) 92.79 million TB globally and 25% of the global multidrug resistance (MDR) TB. There has been a rapid rise of MDR TB cases among the Indian population. Three countries accounted for almost 50% of the world's cases of MDR TB: India (24%), China (13%), and the Russian Federation (10%).[[12]],[[13]],[[14]]

TB in India is further compounded by socioeconomic issues. 21.9% of the Indian population is below poverty line.[[15]] Furthermore, India has 37% of the world's illiterate adult population.[[16]] This subset of population living in urban slums is especially susceptible to TB.

Spinal TB is essentially a medical disease, and ATT forms the mainstay of treatment. In many patients in the absence of neurologic deficit, instability, and deformity, only ATT has been shown to be effective even in patients with a paravertebral abscess. General guidelines are to prove the diagnosis by biopsy and to start ATT as per the drug sensitivity report. Early pharmacological treatment by combination chemotherapy with appropriate drugs for an adequate duration can prevent the severe complications associated with spinal TB. A combination of four drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide) for 2 months followed by combination of three drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide) for a total period of 18 months is the ATT protocol used at our institute. Short-course chemotherapy regimens have been demonstrated to have excellent results except in patients younger than 15 years with an initial angle of kyphosis of more than 30° and whose kyphosis increases substantially.

The surgical indications have not changed significantly since Tuli proposed the “middle-path regimen” in 1975.[[9]] This included four main criteria: (I) absence of neurological recovery in spite of a fair trial of conservative therapy for 3 weeks, (II) onset of neurological complications during the conservative therapy, (III) patient with prevertebral cervical abscess leading to difficulty in deglutition and respiration, and (IV) advanced neurological involvement (flaccid paralysis, severe flexor spasm, and bowel-bladder involvement). At our institute, we also operated on pediatric patients with 2 or more “spine at risk' signs and in cases with unabated destruction at junctional areas.

Oga et al. observed no persistent or recurrent infection after surgery in patients with spinal TB treated with posterior spinal instrumentation.[[17]] The adherence property of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to stainless steel was evaluated experimentally. Few mycobacteria adhere to the stainless steel, whereas Staphylococcus heavily colonizes on stainless steel. Pyogenic organisms form a thick biofilm, whereas mycobacteria show a scanty biofilm. Hence, the use of implant in the presence of TB infection is theoretically safe. Potential advantages of spinal instrumentation include correction of deformity, wider resection of unhealthy bone without fear of instability and addressing the problem of instability when present, increased rate of fusion, especially multilevel spinal fusion, and early mobilization.

Here, we compared two methods of fixation. The use of pedicle screws is the most popular spinal instrumentation method today.[[18]],[[19]] The advantage of pedicle screws is its capability to hold all the three columns of the spine, whereas Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation wire gets a purchase over the posterior column structures alone. However, when combined with meticulous neural decompression and skillful preparation of osteogenic bed with autologous strut grafting and additional onlay grafting, it gives overall adequate stabilization of the column with results comparable with those of pedicle screws, as shown in this study. Our study showed that both the fixation methods had comparable clinical as well as radiological outcomes. The Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation was much more cost-effective.

This study has limitations of its retrospective nature and experience at a single center. A prospective multicentric study with a larger sample size will further validate our findings.

Conclusion

Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation gets purchase over the posterior column structures alone when compared to pedicle screws which have a 3-column hold. However, when combined with meticulous neural decompression and skillful preparation of osteogenic bed with autologous strut grafting and additional onlay grafting, it gives overall adequate stabilization of the column with functional outcome comparable to pedicular screw and rod fixation with additional benefit of cost-effectiveness. Although Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation is less commonly used now, it has a special place in the management of TB, especially in a resource-poor setting like some countries of Asia. Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire has a special place as it gives comparable results in terms of radiological and neurological outcome at a lesser cost. Furthermore, knowledge of this technique enables us to do hybrid fixation as a salvage procedure.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

• References

• 1 Taylor GM, Murphy E, Hopkins R, Rutland P, Chistov Y. First report of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in human remains from the Iron Age. Microbiology 2007;153:1243-9.
• 2 Jain AK, Kumar J. Tuberculosis of spine: Neurological deficit. Eur Spine J 2013;22 Suppl 4:624-33.
• 3 Pott P. The chirurgical works of percivall pott, F.R.S., Surgeon to St. Bartholomew; s Hospital, a new edition, with his last corrections. 1808. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2002;398:4-10.
• 4 Fussey SP, Lindsay JG, Fuller C, Perham RN, Dale S, James OF, et al. Autoantibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis: Analysis of reactivity against eukaryotic and prokaryotic 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes. Hepatology 1991;13:467-74.
• 5 Moon MS. Tuberculosis of spine: Current views in diagnosis and management. Asian Spine J 2014;8:97-111.
• 6 Tuli SM. Textbook – Tuberculosis of the Skeletal System (Bones, Joints, Spine and Bursal sheaths). 3rd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; 2004.
• 7 Kandwal P, Vijayaraghavan G, Jayaswal A. Management of tuberculous infection of the Spine. Asian Spine J 2016;10:792-800.
• 8 Muniyandi M, Ramachandran R. Socioeconomic inequalities of tuberculosis in India. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2008;9:1623-8.
• 9 Tuli SM. Results of treatment of spinal tuberculosis by “middle-path” regime. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1975;57:13-23.
• 10 Srivastava SK, Aggarwal RA, Bhosale SK, Roy K, Nemade PS. The versatile approach: A novel single incision combined with anterior and posterior approaches for decompression and instrumented fusion to treat tuberculosis of the thoracic Spine. Asian Spine J 2017;11:294-304.
• 11 Pai M. The end TB strategy: India can blaze the trail. Indian J Med Res 2015;141:259-62.
• 12 Blower SM, Chou T. Modeling the emergence of the 'hot zones': Tuberculosis and the amplification dynamics of drug resistance. Nat Med 2004;10:1111-6.
• 13 Global tuberculosis report 2016. World Health Organization. Published 1 January, 1970. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/250441. [Last accessed on 2019 Mar 01].
• 14 Zignol M, Hosseini MS, Wright A, Weezenbeek CL, Nunn P, Watt CJ, et al. Global Incidence of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. OUP Academic. Published 15 August, 2006. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/194/4/479/1040928. [Last accessed on 2019 Mar 01].
• 15 Mehra P. “8% GDP growth helped reduce poverty: UN report”. The Hindu; 2 April, 2016. Available from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjyq_H7tOjoAhXGlEsFHaLhDxAQFjAAegQIAhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F8-gdp-growth-helped-reduce-poverty-un-report%2Farticle6862101.ece&usg=AOvVaw1gzTQcEr2fQ4VuoVyT_A9j. [Last retrieved on 2017 Aug 16].
• 16 New Indian Express. Available from: http://nation/India-has-37-Per-Cent-of-Worlds-Illiterate-Adults/2014/01/29/article2026599.ece. [Last accessed on 2020 Mar 01].
• 17 Oga M, Arizono T, Takasita M, Sugioka Y. Evaluation of the risk of instrumentation as a foreign body in spinal tuberculosis. Clinical and biologic study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1993;18:1890-4.
• 18 Hirabayashi S, Kumano K, Kuroki T. Cotrel-dubousset pedicle screw system for various spinal disorders. Merits and problems. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1991;16:1298-304.
• 19 Yuan HA, Garfin SR, Dickman CA, Mardjetko SM. A historical cohort study of pedicle screw fixation in thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spinal fusions. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1994;19:2279S-96.

Publication History

Received: 13 November 2019

Accepted: 26 March 2020

Article published online:
16 August 2022