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Study Design: A prospective multicenter cohort study.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of surgery for the treatment for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) between Caucasians and East Asians.Summary Of Background Data: Numerous studies have indicated that race can influence both disease prevalence and clinical prognosis in a variety of medical conditions; however, none have evaluated the impact of race on surgical outcomes in patients with DCM.Methods: Four hundred and seventy-nine patients with symptomatic DCM were enrolled in the prospective AOSpine CSM-International study at 16 global sites. Preoperatively, and at each follow-up, patients were evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale (mJOA), the Nurick score, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the Short- Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. A mixed-model analytic approach was used to evaluate differences in outcomes between races at 24 months postoperatively, while controlling for relevant baseline characteristics and surgical factors.Results: Three hundred and twenty-four (67.64%) patients were Caucasian and 106 (22.13%) were East Asian. There was no difference in the incidence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) between the two races; however a greater percentage of Caucasians in India (46.15%) and Turkey (41.38%) displayed evidence of OPLL than Caucasians in other regions (P < 0.001). The frequency of spondylosis was significantly higher in Caucasians (P < 0.001). Caucasians had a longer duration of symptoms (27.33 ± 34.47 months) than East Asians (23.11 ± 35.68 months) (P < 0.001), and a lower preoperative score on the SF-36 Physical Component Score (33.85 ± 9.04) than East Asians (37.47 ± 8.67) (P < 0.001). At 24 months after surgery, there were no differences in functional status or QOL between East Asians and Caucasians, after adjusting for baseline characteristics, surgical preferences, and disease causation. Rates of perioperative complications were not significantly different between the races (P = 0.261).Conclusion: Decompressive surgery for DCM results in comparable functional gains and is equally safe in Caucasians and East Asians.Level Of Evidence: 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare posterior and anterior surgical approach in combination with debridement, interbody autografting and instrumentation for thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. These approaches were compared in terms of the operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, bony fusion, intraoperative and postoperative complications, neurological status and the angle of kyphosis. Methods: Forty-seven patients with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis who underwent either the posterior or the anterior approach in combination with debridement, interbody autografting and instrumentation from January 2004 to March 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. In group A ( n = 25), the posterior approach was combined with debridement, interbody autografting and instrumentation. In group B ( n = 22), the anterior approach was performed in addition to debridement, interbody autografting and instrumentation. Results: All cases were followed up for 12-62 months. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of the operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, bony fusion, intraoperative and postoperative complications, neurological status and the angle of kyphosis ( p > 0.05). Good clinical outcomes were achieved in both groups. Conclusions: The posterior approach combined with debridement, interbody autografting and instrumentation is an alternative procedure to treat thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. The posterior approach is sufficient for lesion debridement. In addition, the posterior approach can maintain spinal stabilisation and prevent loss of corrected vertebral alignment as effectively as the anterior approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]