Role of thoracoscopic spinal surgery in the management of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis

Study Design. Case report, operative technique. Objectives. Vertebral osteomyelitis is frequently associated with elderly and debilitated patients who have significant medical comorbidities. If surgical debridement is contemplated, an open anterior approach like a thoracotomy can be associated with significant complications in this patient population. Thus, patients with vertebral osteomyelitis who need surgery may benefit from minimal invasive techniques that avoid the complications of more extensive open approaches. We performed thoracoscopic spinal surgery in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, attempting to reduce the morbidity attributable to standard open thoracotomy surgery.