脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的治疗

目的评价清创术后置管冲洗、负压吸引及一期关闭伤口对脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的治疗效果。方法回顾1984年2月～1997年10月924例行脊柱后路矫形融合术的脊柱侧凸病例,发现感染15例,男5例,女10例,年龄11～32岁,平均17.5岁;特发性脊柱侧凸7例,先天性脊柱侧凸8例;内固定系统包括Harrington Luque3例,Harrington8例,CD4例。结果7例诊断为术后早期感染,平均发现时间为术后15d,清创术后除2例内固定物取出外,其余5例均予保留。8例迟发感染,平均发现时间为术后5.5个月,所有病例均予彻底清创,4例内固定物完全取出(其中1例因并发呼吸功能衰竭死亡),2例内固定物部分取出,2例保留。所有病例清创术后均置管持续冲洗及负压吸引,一期关闭伤口。平均置管冲洗2.8周,清创术后静脉使用抗生素19d。14例患者平均随访3.5年,未见感染复发。结论清创术后置管冲洗、负压吸引及一期关闭伤口,是治疗脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的有效方法。保留植入物,对多数病例并不影响对感染的控制。     

Vacuum-assisted wound closure of deep infections after instrumented spinal fusion in six children with neuromuscular scoliosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The rate of infection after spinal fusion in neuromuscular scoliosis is reported to range from 4% to 20%. Infection persists in about 50% after traditional treatment including debridement and closure. Instrumentation removal is necessary in up to 28%. PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) in combination with antibiotics for the treatment of deep wound infection after instrumented spinal fusion in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis. STUDY DESIGN: Six prospective consecutive neuromuscular patients with scoliosis. PATIENT SAMPLE: Between 2001 and 2005, six consecutive pediatric patients (average age, 12.6 years) with neuromuscular scoliosis with a postoperative deep wound infection after instrumented spinal fusion were included in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of the duration of wound closure and infection parameters during treatment. METHODS: The patients were treated with a VAC system in combination with antibiotics. RESULTS: Wound closure averaged 3 months. Infection parameters were normalized within 6 weeks. Removal of the instrumentation was not necessary in any patient, and there were no signs of infection at follow-up ranging from 9 to 42 months. CONCLUSION: The VAC system, in combination with antibiotic therapy, seems to be a useful method for treatment of deep wound infections after spinal fusion in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis. It may prevent removal of the instrumentation and multiple surgery for irrigation and closure of the wound.     

Wound conditioning by vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.) in postoperative infections after dorsal spine surgery

The use of vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.) therapy in postoperative infections after dorsal spinal surgery was studied retrospectively. Successful treatment was defined as a stable healed wound that showed no signs of acute or chronic infection. The treatment of the infected back wounds consisted of repeated debridement, irrigation and open wound treatment with temporary closure by V.A.C. The instrumentation was exchanged or removed if necessary. Fifteen patients with deep subfascial infections after posterior spinal surgery were treated. The implants were exchanged in seven cases, removed completely in five cases and left without changing in one case. In two cases spinal surgery consisted of laminectomy without instrumentation. In two cases only the wound defects were closed by muscle flap, the remaining ones were closed by delayed suturing. Antibiotic treatment was necessary in all cases. Follow up was possible in 14 patients. One patient showed a new infection after treatment. The study illustrates the usefulness of V.A.C. therapy as a new alternative management for wound conditioning of complex back wounds after deep subfascial infection.     

Treatment of deep wound infections after spinal fusion with a vacuum-assisted device in patients with spinal cord injury

Postoperative wound infection is a severe complication after spinal instrumentation, especially in a patient with spinal injury. We used vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) in two patients with spinal cord injury, who presented deep wound infection after spinal instrumentation and were treated with an aggressive irrigation and debridement procedure. Three and four weeks after VAC application, the hardware was completely covered by granulation tissue and a secondary closure was undertaken. No significant complications were observed. Six months after secondary closure, the wounds remained healed, no signs of instrumentation loosening, haloing or lysis around the instrumentation were observed, and patients had completed their rehabilitation program and were discharged from hospital. Vacuum assisted wound closure appears as an excellent option in the treatment of deep wound infections after spinal instrumentation in patients with spinal cord injury.     

Postoperative posterior spinal wound infections.

The incidence of postoperative spinal infections increases with the complexity of the procedure. Diskectomy is associated with less than a 1% risk of infection; spinal fusion without instrumentation is associated with a 1%-5% risk; and fusion with instrumentation may be associated with a risk of 6% or more. Twenty-two postoperative posterior spinal infections that occurred during a three-year period were reviewed for this report. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent organism cultured (more than 50% of the cases). Other recurring organisms were Staphylococcus epidermis, Peptococcus, Enterobacter cloacae, and Bacteroides. Many patients had multiple organisms. Risk factors appeared to include advanced age, prolonged hospital bed rest, obesity, diabetes, immunosuppression, and infection at remote sites. Operative factors included prolonged surgery (greater than five hours), high volume of personnel moving through the operating room, and instrumentation. Postoperative contamination may occur and may be related to prolonged postoperative bed rest, skin maceration (thoracolumbosacral orthoses), and drainage tubes exiting distally from lumbar wounds (toward the rectum). Effective treatment includes early diagnosis, surgical debridement and irrigation, and parenteral antibiotics. Superficial infections were treated successfully with wound closure over outflow tubes, and deep infections with inflow-outflow systems. Maintaining the instrumentation in place was possible in most cases. Parenteral antibiotics were maintained for six weeks in every case.     

Postoperative deep wound infections in adults after spinal fusion: management with vacuum-assisted wound closure

OBJECTIVE: Vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) exposes the wound bed to negative pressure, resulting in removal of edema fluid, improvement of blood supply, and stimulation of cellular proliferation of reparative granulation tissue. It has been used to treat open wounds in the extremities, open sternal wounds, pressure ulcers, and abdominal wall wounds. This study retrospectively reviewed instrumented spine fusions complicated by surgical wound infection and managed by a protocol including the use of VAC in order to evaluate the efficacy of applying vacuum therapy on patients with deep spine infections and exposed instrumentation. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with deep wound infections after undergoing spinal fusion procedures were studied. There were 12 men and 8 women with an average age of 55 years (31-81 years). Eight patients had undergone concomitant anterior and posterior arthrodesis, nine patients had a posterior spinal fusion, and three patients had a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Seven patients had a decompression with exposed dura. Sixteen patients presented with a draining wound within the first 6 weeks postoperatively (average 24 days). There were four patients who presented with back pain and temperature after 1 year postoperatively (average 3 years). All patients were taken to the operating room for irrigation and debridement followed by placement of the VAC with subsequent delayed closure of the wound. RESULTS: There was an average of 1.8 (1-8) irrigation and debridement procedures prior to placement of the VAC. Once the VAC was initiated, there was an average of 2.2 (2-3) procedures until and including closure of the wound. The wound was closed an average of 7 days (5-14 days) after the placement of the initial VAC in the wound. All patients tolerated the VAC without adverse effects. All patients were kept on a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotic therapy. The average follow-up was 10 months (6-24 months). There were no cases of uncontrolled sepsis once the VAC was initiated. All patients achieved a clean closed wound without removal of instrumentation at a minimum follow-up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: VAC therapy is an effective adjunct in closing complex deep spinal wounds with exposed instrumentation.     

脊柱侧凸后路三维矫形融合术后并发迟发性深部感染

目的：评估脊柱侧弯患者后路矫形术后深部迟发性感染的发病机理，早期诊断和治疗。方法：回顾性研究自1998年8月～2002年1月共509例行后路矫形的脊柱侧凸患者，其中有5例病人发生了深部迟发性感染。对深部迟发性感染距初次手术的时间，影像学资料，血沉，假关节的发生情况，分泌物的培养和药敏结果，伤口闭合类型和抗生素的使用情况进行了分析。结果：5例患者发生了迟发性感染(0．98％)。距初次手术平均时间为19．2个月，病人都有窦道的形成，2例患者背部疼痛，仅有1例患者在窦道形成前有发热史。平均血沉55．5mm／h，无患者发生假关节，培养结果均为金黄色葡萄球菌，所有患者均行内置物去除，一期闭合伤口并最终愈合。结论：皮下脓肿和窦道形成是迟发性感染的明确的诊断依据。人体皮肤上低毒性细菌的术中种植和金属腐蚀可能是迟发性感染的主要发生机理，一期闭合能使伤口早期愈合，短期内静脉使用抗生素(7d)，然后口服抗生素(10d)是值得推荐的方法。     

Postoperative spine infections: a retrospective analysis of 21 patients

A retrospective analysis was performed to identify the risk factors, onset, clinical presentation, management and outcome of 21 patients with postoperative spinal infection. There were 9 men and 12 women with a mean age of 49 years (range 23–76 years). There were 19 early and 2 late spine infections: 14 superficial and 7 deep. Wound drainage occurred in 90.74% of the patients at an average of 19 days after surgery (range 7–102 days). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacterial isolate. Eighteen patients were treated with open debridement, application of an irrigation-suction device for 5–7 days, primary or delayed wound closure and antibiotic administration. Removal of the instrumentation was necessary in three patients. Eighteen of the 21 patients had pain relief and all patients were infection free, 12 months after initiation of the treatment. One patient, who had instrumentation removal, required re-operation for spine instability and pseudarthrosis.     

Therapy of spinal wound infections using vacuum-assisted wound closure: risk factors leading to resistance to treatment

STUDY DESIGN: This study retrospectively reviewed spine surgical procedures complicated by wound infection and managed by a protocol including the use of vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC). OBJECTIVE: To define factors influencing the number of debridements needed before the final wound closure by applying VAC for patients with postoperative spinal wound infections. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: VAC has been suggested as a safe and probably effective method for the treatment of spinal wound infections. The risk factors for infection resistance and need for debridement revisions after VAC placement are unknown. METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive patients with 79 wound infections after undergoing spine surgery were studied (6 of them had recurrence of infection). All patients were taken to the operating room for irrigation and debridement under general anesthesia followed by placement of the VAC with subsequent delayed closure of the wound. Linear regression and t test were used to identify if the following variables were risk factors for the resistance of infection to VAC treatment: timing of clinical appearance of infection, depth of infection (deep or superficial), presence of instrumentation, positive culture for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or more than 1 microorganism, age of the patient, and presence of other comorbidities. RESULTS: There were 34 males and 39 females with an average age of 58.4 years (21 to 82). Once the VAC was initiated, there was an average of 1.4 procedures until and including closure of the wound. The wound was closed an average of 7 days (range 5 to 14) after the placement of the initial VAC on the wound. The average follow-up was 14 months (range 12 to 28). All of the patients but 2 achieved a clean, closed wound without removal of instrumentation at a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Sixty patients had implants (instrumentation or allograft) within the site of wound infection. Thirteen patients had a decompression with exposed dura. Sixty-four infections (81%) presented with a draining wound within the first 6 weeks postoperatively. Sixty-nine infections (87.3%) were deep below the fascia. There was no statistical significance (P>0.05) of all tested risk factors for the resistance of infection to treatment with the VAC system. The parameter more related to repeat VAC procedures was the culture of MRSA or multiple bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: VAC therapy may be an effective adjunct in closing spinal wounds even after the repeat procedures. The MRSA or multibacterial infections seem to be most likely to need repeat debridements and VAC treatment before final wound closure.     

腰椎后路内固定术后迟发感染的手术治疗

[目的]探讨腰椎后路内固定术后迟发感染的预防措施及手术治疗方法。[方法]回顾性分析5例腰椎后路内固定术后迟发感染行清创术的方法及临床效果，定期随访，观察感染有无复发，X线片评价腰椎融合效果是否受到影响。[结果]所有患者出院时伤口均一期愈合，无神经损伤。平均随访35个月（6～52个月），未发现感染复发，术区腰椎融合效果未受损害。[结论]腰椎内固定术后感染是一种严重的并发症，术前应做好感染危险因素的评估，落实各项预防感染的措施，一旦发生感染要早期诊断，积极的外科清创术可以获得良好的疗效。     

Postoperative synergistic gangrene after spinal fusion

STUDY DESIGN: A case of synergistic necrotizing gangrenous fasciitis after spinal surgery is reported. OBJECTIVES: To describe this unusual complication, explain the rationale of treatment, and increase awareness of this serious postoperative complication. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although several cases of postoperative synergistic necrotizing fasciitis have been reported, there are no previously reported cases of this condition after spinal surgery. METHODS: A rapidly progressive necrotizing spinal wound infection after fusion for degenerative disc disease was treated in a 39-year-old man. RESULTS: The infection was successfully treated with serial debridements, appropriate antibiotics, and hyperbaric wound oxygenation. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest adherence to the fundamental principles of treatment including radical surgical debridement and appropriate antibiosis for necrotizing gangrene after spinal surgery. In evaluation of aggressive spinal wound infections, diagnosis of synergistic necrotizing fasciitis should be kept in mind. Although hyperbaric wound oxygenation was implemented as an adjunct and appeared to aid in controlling the infection, its effect on outcome is not clear.     

Delayed infections after posterior TSRH spinal instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis: revisited

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of delayed infections in idiopathic scoliosis treated with TSRH instrumentation, proper wound management after instrumentation removal, and whether the previously identified bacterial trend remains consistent. METHODS: All patients with idiopathic scoliosis > or =2 years after surgery with posterior TSRH instrumentation were included. Those cases with delayed infections were retrospectively reviewed. Time of presentation (infection) from index operation, clinical picture, sedimentation rate, presence of pseudarthrosis, organisms grown on culture, type of wound closure, and duration of antibiotics were examined. RESULTS: A total of 489 patients were identified > or =2 years postoperation; 23 had delayed infections (4.7%). Time of presentation averaged 27 months after initial surgery. Spontaneous drainage occurred in 15 patients, fluctuance in 6, and neither in the remaining 2 (pain and fever). Sedimentation rate averaged 48 mm/hr. All patients had instrumentation removed. Primary closure (1 stage) was performed in 14 patients, and delayed primary closure (> or =2 stages) was performed in nine patients. All wounds healed uneventfully. Cultures at the time of instrumentation removal grew Propionibacterium acnes in 12 patients, Staphylococcus epidermidis (or Staphylococcus coagulase-negative) in 4, Micrococcus varians in 1, and Staphylococcus aureus in 1. Five patients had negative cultures. After removal, patients received parenteral antibiotics; in 21 of these patients this was followed by oral antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Low-virulent skin organisms are primarily responsible for delayed infections. Intraoperative seeding followed by subclinical quiescent periods appears to be the method by which infection occurs. The increased bulk and modularity of modern instrumentation systems can lead to inflammation and bursa formation, thus contributing significantly to the activation of these infections. Primary wound closure results in successful wound healing. Delayed closure after 48 hours is unnecessary. Short-term postoperative parenteral antibiotics (2-5 days) followed by short-term oral antibiotics (7-14 days) is recommended.     

Early-phase enhanced inflammatory reaction after spinal instrumentation surgery

STUDY DESIGN: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and body temperature were measured prospectively in patients after two types of spinal surgery without complications and three cases of infection after spinal instrumentation surgery. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of instrumentation on postoperative inflammatory reaction, and to describe early detection of postoperative wound infection. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In thoracic and abdominal surgery as well as hip arthroplasty, C-reactive protein has proved more valuable than erythrocyte sedimentation rate for early detection of postoperative infectious complications. It has not yet been established, however, how inflammatory parameters change after surgery when spinal instruments have been inserted into the body. METHODS: For this study, two groups of patients were examined: a control group that underwent spinal decompression surgery without instrumentation (n = 36) and another group that underwent spinal decompression and fusion surgery with spinal instrumentation (n = 37). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and body temperature were recorded 1 day before surgery and on days 0 to 4, 7, 11, 14, 21, 28, and 42 after surgery. RESULTS: Inflammatory indexes (i.e., C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count, and body temperature) were significantly higher for the surgery with instrumentation than for the spinal decompression surgery without instrumentation. Multiple regression analysis showed that C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate peaks significantly correlated with the use of instrumentation (C-reactive protein: P = 0.000257, erythrocyte sedimentation rate: P = 0.000132). In the patients with infection after spinal instrumentation surgery, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and body temperature started to increase again 4 to 11 days after surgery. The elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels was prolonged. CONCLUSIONS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein display a significantly higher reaction after spinal surgery with instrumentation. Renewed elevation of C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and body temperature after postoperative days 4 to 7 may be a critical sign of postoperative infection.     

Vacuum-assisted closure for deep infection after spinal instrumentation for scoliosis

Our aim was to review the efficacy of the wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system in the treatment of deep infection after extensive instrumentation and fusion for spinal deformity in children and adolescents. A total of 14 patients with early deep spinal infection were treated using this technique. Of these, 12 had neuromuscular or syndromic problems. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 44 months (24 to 72). All wounds healed. Two patients required plastic surgery to speed up the process. In no patient was the hardware removed and there was no loss of correction or recurrent infection. We believe that the wound VAC system is a useful tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon dealing with patients susceptible to wound infections, especially those with neuromuscular diseases. It allows for the retention of the instrumentation and the maintenance of spinal correction. It is reliable and easy to use.     

Decompression, fusion, and instrumentation surgery for complex lumbar spinal stenosis

Between 1990 and 1993, 54 consecutive patients were treated with decompression, fusion and instrumentation surgery for complex lumbar spinal stenosis. The mean age of the patients was 60 years. The average followup was 39 months. Clinically, there was one deep wound infection, and three mechanical failures. There were two staged operations. There were three revision surgeries performed for mechanical reasons. Of the 47 patients who completed the questionnaire, 96% of patients were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the operation, 98% were satisfied with relief of pain, 94% were satisfied with their ability to walk, 89% were satisfied with their strength, and 94% were satisfied with balance. Survivorship analysis (failure endpoint was revision surgery) revealed that at the end of 4 years, the patient had a 92% chance of not undergoing revision surgery for any reason (mechanical and infectious), and a 94% chance of not undergoing revision surgery for mechanical reasons. Lumbar decompression, fusion, and instrumentation surgery seems to be efficacious in patients with complex lumbar spinal stenosis (associated previous lumbar spine operations with evidence of radiographic instability, radiographic evidence of junctional stenosis after surgery, radiographic evidence of instability, degenerative spondylolisthesis greater than Grade I with instability, if present, and degenerative scoliosis with a curve greater than 20 degrees).     

Management of deep wound infection after posterior lumbar interbody fusion with cages

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term treatment outcome of patients with infected posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) managed with surgical debridement and or prolonged antiobiotic treatment without removal of the interbody cages. METHODS: Between 1996 and 1999, 8 out of 111 patients who underwent PLIF were diagnosed with deep wound infection (7.2%). All infected patients were clinically followed for at least 2 years after completion of the antibiotic treatment. Longer follow-up of at least 6 years duration was performed by a telephone interview. RESULTS: Six patients were managed with surgical debridement, wound irrigation, and primary closure of the wound. None of the patients required removal of the instrumentation. In 2 patients, the PLIF cages were repositioned in the face of infection. All 8 patients received 4 to 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy followed by another 6 to 9 weeks of oral antibiotic administration. At 2-year follow-up, no clinical or laboratory signs of recurrent infection were evident. Four of the 8 patients reported improved clinical status compared with their prefusion status. At 6-year follow-up, 3 patients had minimal disability according to the Oswestry Disability Index and 2 patients had moderate disability with residual leg pain. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of postoperative deep wound infection after PLIF with cages, removal of the interbody implants is not necessary. Treatment is composed of prolonged antibiotic therapy guided by antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria and supplemented with extensive surgical debridement if needed.     

The diagnosis and management of infection following instrumented spinal fusion

A 10-year retrospective audit. (1) The incidence of infection; (2) causative organisms; (3) whether eradication of infection is achievable with spinal implant retention; (4) patient outcome. The reported incidence of infection following posterior spinal instrumentation is between 2.6 and 3.8%. Management of infection is controversial, with some advocating serial wound debridement while others report that infection cannot be eradicated with retention of implants. There are no published data demonstrating that propionibacteria are associated with early postoperative infection. The management of infected cases at our institution includes eventual removal of their implants. Our population was identified by studying the case notes of all patients who had undergone removal of spinal implants and cross-referencing this population with positive microbiology or histology reports. The incidence of infection was 3.7%. Propionibacteria were isolated in 45% of cases. The diagnosis of infection was unexpected in 25% of patients, following removal of implants for prominence of implants or back pain. Sixty per cent of patients with acute postoperative deep wound infection had continuing active infection on subsequent removal of implants, despite long-term antibiotics and wound debridement. Fourty-six per cent of patients had a stable, pain-free spine at the end of their treatment. This is the largest reported series of infections following posterior spinal instrumented fusions of which we are aware. Propionibacteria are a common cause of infection and successful eradication of infection cannot be reliably achieved with antibiotics and wound debridement alone.     

单中心8818例脊柱畸形矫形术后深部感染的处理策略

目的探讨脊柱畸形矫形术后深部感染的发生率及其相应的处理策略。方法回顾性分析1998年1月至2017年12月接受脊柱畸形矫形术治疗8818例患者的病历资料,根据患者术后的临床症状、影像学检查及实验室检查判断是否发生深部感染。将初次手术后3个月之内发生的感染定义为早发性感染,初次手术3个月后发生的感染定义为迟发性感染。所有感染患者行清创灌洗、术后引流冲洗,并静脉应用敏感抗生素。若感染无法根除,如手术后时间不足2年,暂予伤口换药保留内固定;如手术后时间达到2年,评估融合情况满意后可在伤口清创的同时取出内固定。摄站立位全脊柱正、侧位X线片测量冠状面和矢状面参数,评估取出内固定者矫正丢失情况。结果共有60例(0.68%,60/8818)术后发生深部感染,早发性感染11例(发生率为0.12%,11/8818),迟发性感染49例(发生率为0.56%,49/8818)。两组患者在年龄、性别、手术入路及融合节段数方面的差异均无统计学意义。术后2~5年是深部感染发生的高峰期。特发性脊柱侧凸及强直性脊柱炎患者术后感染的发生率最低,综合征性及神经肌源性脊柱侧凸术后感染的发生率较高。初次培养阴性率较高,早发性感染中金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌居多;迟发性感染中痤疮丙酸杆菌和凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌占比明显增高。经治疗后早发性感染组中9例保留内固定,2例换药至术后2年取出内固定。迟发性感染组中5例保留内固定,10例换药至术后2年取出内固定,34例手术时间超过2年直接取出内固定;其中1例患者取出内固定后1个月重新植入内固定;另有1例患者因矫正丢失在取出内固定3年后重新植入内固定。末次随访时取出内固定的患者出现了明显的冠状面矫正丢失。结论脊柱畸形矫形术后深部感染的发生率为0.68%,早发性感染发生率较低,迟发性感染较高;神经肌源性脊柱侧凸与综合征性脊柱侧凸患者有着较高的感染风险。如果感染在反复清创后无法根除,推荐在术后2年骨融合后取出内固定,但仍存在矫正丢失的风险。     

Single-stage treatment of pyogenic spinal infection with titanium mesh cages

STUDY DESIGN: Single institution retrospective review. OBJECTIVES: To report a series of pyogenic spinal infections treated with single-stage debridement and reconstruction with titanium mesh cages. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Various studies have reported surgical results of pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis with anterior debridement, strut grafting and fusion, including delayed posterior spinal instrumentation. Additionally, various authors have recommended against the use of instrumentation because of the concern about glycocalyx formation on the metal and chronic infection. At our institution, we routinely treat chronic vertebral osteomyelitis with single-stage debridement, reconstruction with a titanium mesh cage filled with allograft chips and demineralized bone matrix, and posterior pedicle screw instrumentation. To our knowledge, this is the largest single series reporting single-stage debridement and instrumentation of pyogenic spinal infection with titanium mesh cages and posterior instrumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patient records and radiographs of 21 consecutive patients (average age 49.3 years, range 23 to 80 years) with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, all treated with titanium mesh cages. Average follow-up was 44 months (range, 25 to 70 months). Spinal levels included 6 thoracic, 4 thoracolumbar, 9 lumbar, and 2 lumbosacral (L5-S1) lesions. All patients had preoperative serum evaluation, which usually included blood cultures, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), in addition to plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. A positive needle biopsy was available in only 2/7 patients (29%), and overall, preoperative pathogen identification was available in only 7/21 patients (33%). All patients were treated postoperatively with a minimum of 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, with a specific antibiotic regimen directed toward the postoperative pathogen when identified (17/21 cases). Extensive radiographic evaluation was also performed. RESULTS: ESR and CRP were routinely elevated (18/20 and 11/17 cases respectively), whereas the white blood count was elevated in only 8 out of 21 cases (38%). The average duration of symptoms to diagnosis was approximately 13.6 weeks (range 3 weeks to 10 months). The indications for surgery included neurologic compromise, significant vertebral body destruction with loss of sagittal alignment, failure of medical treatment, and/or epidural abscess. All patients had resolution of infection, as noted by normalization of the ESR and CRP. Further, 16 out of 21 patients also had a significant reduction of pain. There were no deaths or new postoperative neurologic compromise. The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. Two patients required a second surgery (posterior irrigation and debridement) during the same admission for persistent wound drainage. Radiographically, the average segmental kyphosis (or loss of lordosis) was 11.5 degrees (range, 0 to 24 degrees) preoperatively, and +0.8 degrees (range, -3 to +5 degrees) at latest postoperative follow-up. There was an average of 2.2 mm cage settling (range, 0 to 5 mm) on latest follow-up. There were no instrumentation failures, signs of chronic infection, or rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Titanium mesh cages present a viable option for single-stage anterior surgical debridement and reconstruction of vertebral osteomyelitis, without evidence of chronic infection or rejection. When used in conjunction with pedicle screw instrumentation, there is minimal cage settling without loss of sagittal alignment.     

Wound infection after spinal surgery: analysis of 15 cases]

Fifteen of 714 patients undergoing spine surgery had postoperative wound infection, with an overall infection rate of 2.1%. There was infection rate of 0.4% in spine surgery without metal instrumentation and 2.9% in spine fusion with metal internal instrumentation. Coagulase positive staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pathogen. Factors related to infection were discussed and preventive measures were suggested. Irrigation-suction technique without removal of metal instruments and bone grafts was recommended for the treatment of postoperative infection. A high pseudarthrosis rate was found in the infected patients after spine fusion with metal instrumentation.