33 Osteotomies in Tuberculosis—Pediatric Care

Spinal tuberculosis in pediatric patients is frequently associated with multiple vertebral lesions and could be complicated by kyphosis. The diagnosis should be confirmed by culturing or molecular–genetic study of the pathological tissues that are harvested from the zone of bone lesions or from the paravertebral abscesses.Long-term chemotherapy is the basis for treatment of tuberculosis. Operative treatment in the form of angular kyphosis or compression of the spinal cord is absolutely indicated in cases of orthopaedic or neurological complications of spinal tuberculosis. Simultaneous debridement, kyphosis correction by posterior instrumentation, and anterior fusion by bone transplant alone or with titanium mesh cage are the best options for complete recovery and restoration of spinal balance.