The anterior interbody fusions for the 346 patients of tuberculosis of the spine were experienced at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital during the period from Jan. 1957 to Aug. 1974.
Following observations were made;
1) Anterior fusion has been performed for the treatment of tuberculosis of the spine since 1962. whereas posterior fusion, costotransversectomy and curettage done predominantly during the period from 1957 to 1961.
2) Common age incidence was in below 30 years(75.3%), and most common in below 5 Yea~(22.5%).
3) Average duration of disease was 2 yeazs and 5 months, and most common in between 2 and 6 months (31.5 %).
4) Tuberculous spinal lesions were thoracic (33.8 % ), lumbaz (31.5 %) and thoracolumbar (21.9 %) in orders.
5) Antituberculous chemotherapy prior to operation was usually given for the period of 4 weeks and it made no troubles in operation.
6) Postoperative complications were found in 17.6%, which were the fracture and slipping of graft bone and intrathoracic complications predominantly in orders.
7) Major anterior fusions must be performed in well facilitated hospital by well trained and skillful surgeon in order to decrease above mentioned complications. and adequate management of the chest tube~in thoracic azea and identification of the blood vessels in lumbosacral azea may be necessary.
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