Single-stage anterior debridement and reconstruction with tantalum mesh cage for complicated infectious spondylitis

Table 2 Comparison of clinical outcomes and radiographic findings before surgery and after surgery

	Preop	Postop	1 yr later	P (a/b)
VAS	7.4 ± 0.81	3.3 ± 0.81	2.2 ± 0.91	< 0.001/< 0.001
FS	D (C,E)2	D (D,E)2	E (E,E)2	= 0.003/= 0.001
MBC	F (P,F)2	G (G,G)2	G (G,E)2	< 0.001/< 0.001

¹mean ± SD;

²median (25^th percentile, 75^th percentile). Preop: Preoperative; Postop: Postoperative; a: Postop vs preop with Wilcoxon signed-rank test; b: Postop 1 year vs preop with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. VAS: Visual analog scale: 0 means no pain and 10 means the most pain possible. MBC: Modified Brodsky criteria: P = poor, F = fair, G = good, E = excellent; FS: Frankel scale: A = complete paralysis; B = sensory function only below the injury level; C = incomplete motor function below injury level; D = fair to good motor function below injury level; E = normal function.