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Review
. 2016 Feb;10(1):176-83.
doi: 10.4184/asj.2016.10.1.176. Epub 2016 Feb 16.

Postoperative Spine Infections

Abhijit Yuvaraj Pawar  1 , Samar Kumar Biswas  2
Affiliations
Review

Postoperative Spine Infections

Abhijit Yuvaraj Pawar et al. Asian Spine J. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

Postoperative spinal wound infection increases the morbidity of the patient and the cost of healthcare. Despite the development of prophylactic antibiotics and advances in surgical technique and postoperative care, wound infection continues to compromise patient outcome after spinal surgery. Spinal instrumentation also has an important role in the development of postoperative infections. This review analyses the risk factors that influence the development of postoperative infection. Classification and diagnosis of postoperative spinal infection is also discussed to facilitate the choice of treatment on the basis of infection severity. Preventive measures to avoid surgical site (SS) infection in spine surgery and methods for reduction of all the changeable risk factors are discussed in brief. Management protocols to manage SS infections in spine surgery are also reviewed.

Keywords: Postoperative infections; Spine surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. (A–D) Magnetic resonance imaging sections in patients with postoperative infection after instrumentation showing marrow signal changes and fluid collection.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. (A–D) Computed tomography scan in the same patient showing lucency around spinal hardware.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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