Going to Pott's

MANILA, Philippines - Tuberculosis (TB), one of the world’s oldest diseases, remains a global public health concern today. The past decade has experienced an increased prevalence with 33 percent of untreated patients dying every year. Because of its ability to travel to any organ in the body other than the lungs, it poses greater health risks that can be debilitating and even fatal.

One of the most common sites where TB can pose incapacitating effects is the spine. TB of the spine, or Tuberculous Spondylitis, more commonly known as Pott’s Disease, results from the spread of tuberculosis from other sites, often originating from the lungs. Named after English surgeon Sir John Percival Pott, this disease is typically characterized by a hunchback deformity caused by the collapse of the vertebrae with a resultant spinal cord compression and paralysis.

The debilitating effects of Pott’s Disease start usually as back pain. It may cause what is known as “night cries” in children, where they may wake up crying due to pain. It may also be associated with weight loss and generalized body malaise. Over the course of weeks to months, a “gibbus’ develops, which is manifested as a hump on the back. If untreated, the spinal column can become unstable, which may eventually lead to a deformity or worse, a compression of the spinal cord, resulting in different degrees of paralysis.

Cognizant of the problem of Pott’s Disease, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, in collaboration with the Philippine Spine Society, held an operative course and symposium entitled “Advances in the Management of Tuberculous Spondylitis.” Dr. Jose Martin Paiso, section head of Spinal Surgery at Asian Hospital and Medical Center, joined other spine surgery experts to share his knowledge with orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, consultants, and residents on the dangers of the disease and the advances in treatment that are now available to ensure an ideal management of the disease.

“The promotion and advancement of orthopedics and spine surgery as one of the pillars of Asian Hospital and Medical Center are among the many goals the hospital undertakes to provide further medical education among Filipino surgeons, in keeping with its commitment to provide world-class healthcare in the country,” Theo Seiler, chief executive officer of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, related in his welcome address.

Dr. Chung Chek Wong, Dr. Jianzhong Xu, Dr. Tsiang Fu Tsai, and Dr. Tiong Sam Lim tackle TB of the spine and modern techniques of surgical management.

Dr. Antonio Sison, president of the Philippine Spine Society, explained the importance of organizing the symposium in the practice of spine surgery: “TB is a disease of poverty which is especially common in the Philippines. We feel this is a relevant step to ensure that local spine surgeons are armed with the latest trends in the surgical treatment of Pott’s Disease so our patients receive better treatment and medical care.”

The updates on the treatment and management of Pott’s Disease included the use of additional instrumentation in surgical management. Dr. Jose Manuel Ignacio, head of scientific events of the Philippine Spine Society, noted: “With the new technologies that we have today, treating Pott’s Disease becomes better. Now, we can make the spine stable without having to wear a brace. Modern techniques in instrumentation make it possible for the patient to recover faster without too much downtime.”

The activity commenced with a comprehensive, whole-day symposium with local and international faculty including Prof. Chung Chek Wong from Malaysia and Prof. Jianzhong Xu from Taiwan, who tackled TB of the spine from the history of the disease and medical management, to more modern techniques of surgical management.

For more information on the latest in spine surgery, call the Asian Hospital and Medical Center at 771-9000 to 02 or visit www.asianhospital.com.