A posterior-only approach for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with thoracolumbar pseudoarthrosis: a clinical retrospective study

Background Surgical treatment has been recommended by most surgeons to treat pseudarthrosis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, there is still some debate on the necessity of anterior fusion. There is very limited literature on the treatment and surgical outcomes of thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis in AS patients treated through a posterior-only approach. Methods From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017, a total of 42 cases diagnosed with thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis in AS patients with moderate kyphosis were included in this study. All of the patients received posterior-only kyphosis correction, internal fixation and fusion without anterior fusion, and underwent at least 2 years of follow-up. Clinical and radiographic results and complications were assessed. Results All of the patients were followed up for an average of 35.3 months (range, 24–48 months), and they achieved successful bone graft fusion at the pseudarthrosis sites. Satisfactory radiographic changes were achieved in these patients. The Cobb angles of global kyphosis (GK) were corrected from 53.2 ± 5.4 degrees preoperatively to 33.2 ± 4.3 degrees postoperatively, and to 36.1 ± 5.3 degrees at the latest follow-up. The Cobb angles of local kyphosis (LK) were corrected from 43.3 ± 4.6 degrees preoperatively to 26.8 ± 3.3 degrees postoperatively, and to 28.2 ± 3.6 degrees at the latest follow-up. The mean sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were corrected from 7.6 ± 4.2 cm preoperatively to 4.3 ± 2.1 cm postoperatively, and to 4.8 ± 2.3 cm at the latest follow-up. No serious neurological complication or deep wound infection was found in these 42 patients. Conclusion Posterior-only kyphosis correction and fixation without anterior fusion can achieve excellent bone fusion and satisfactory improvement in AS patients with thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis. This method may be a good choice for treating thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis in AS patients with moderate kyphosis.