Structural Versus Nonstructural Bone Grafting Via the Posterior Approach in the Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bone grafting is necessary in spinal tuberculosis surgery. Structural bone grafting is considered the gold standard treatment for spinal tuberculosis bone defects; however, nonstructural bone grafting via the posterior approach has recently gained attention. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of structural versus nonstructural bone grafting via the posterior approach in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. Studies comparing the clinical efficacy of structural and nonstructural bone grafting via the posterior approach in spinal tuberculosis surgery were identified from 8 databases from inception to August 2022. Study selection, data extraction, and evaluation of the risk of bias were performed, and meta-analysis was conducted. Ten studies including 528 patients with spinal tuberculosis were enrolled. Meta-analysis revealed no between-group differences in fusion rate (P = 0.29), complications (P = 0.21), postoperative Cobb angle (P = 0.7), visual analog scale score (P = 0.66), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.74), or C-reactive protein level (P = 0.14) at the final follow-up. Nonstructural bone grafting was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (P