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.