Postoperative spine infections

Abstract

While postoperative spinal infections are not common, the key to successful diagnosis and treatment is a high index of clinical suspicion and swift operative irrigation and debridement. Worsening pain 2 to 3 weeks' postoperatively with an elevated CRP and drainage from the wound are indications for surgical treatment. Cultures and diagnostic imaging may be helpful in the subtler, deeper cases. Most infections will respond to 1 or 2 debridements, and in many cases, instrumentation and bone graft may be left in place. Although infections are generally curable, the overall functional outcome is lessened, and the obtainable rate of arthrodesis is decreased.