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. 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):143S-156S.
doi: 10.1177/21925682241237486.

Prevention and Management of Posterior Wound Complications Following Oncologic Spine Surgery: Narrative Review of Available Evidence and Proposed Clinical Decision-Making Algorithm

Owen P Leary  1 , Aayush Setty  1 , Jung Ho Gong  1 , Rohaid Ali  1 , Jared S Fridley  1 , Charles G Fisher  2 , Arjun Sahgal  3 , Laurence D Rhines  4 , Jeremy J Reynolds  5 , Áron Lazáry  6 , Ilya Laufer  7 , Alessandro Gasbarrini  8 , Nicolas Dea  2 , Jorrit-Jan Verlaan  9 , Chetan Bettegowda  10 , Stefano Boriani  8 , Addisu Mesfin  11 , Alessandro Luzzati  12 , John H Shin  13 , Riccardo Cecchinato  12 , Francis J Hornicek  14 , Matthew L Goodwin  15 , Ziya L Gokaslan  1
Affiliations

Prevention and Management of Posterior Wound Complications Following Oncologic Spine Surgery: Narrative Review of Available Evidence and Proposed Clinical Decision-Making Algorithm

Owen P Leary et al. Global Spine J. 2025 Jan.

Erratum in

  • Corrigenda, 2025.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Global Spine J. 2025 Jun 11:21925682251343890. doi: 10.1177/21925682251343890. Online ahead of print. Global Spine J. 2025. PMID: 40500909 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Study design: Narrative Review.

Objective: Contextualized by a narrative review of recent literature, we propose a wound complication prevention and management algorithm for spinal oncology patients. We highlight available strategies and motivate future research to identify optimal and individualized wound management for this population.

Methods: We conducted a search of recent studies (2010-2022) using relevant keywords to identify primary literature in support of current strategies for wound complication prevention and management following spine tumor surgery. When primary literature specific to spine tumor cases was not available, data were extrapolated from studies of other spine surgery populations. Results were compiled into a proposed clinical algorithm to guide practice considering available evidence.

Results: Based on available literature, we recommend individualized stratification of patients according to identifiable risk factors for wound complication and propose several interventions which might be employed preventatively, including intrawound antibiotic administration, negative pressure wound therapy, and primary flap closure of the surgical wound. Of these, the available evidence, weighing possible risks vs benefits, most strongly favors primary flap closure of surgical wounds, particularly for patients with multiple risk factors. A secondary algorithm to guide management of wound complications is also proposed.

Conclusions: Wound complications such as SSI and dehiscence remain a significant source of morbidity following spine tumor surgery. Triaging patients on an individualized basis according to risk factors for complication may aid in selecting appropriate prophylactic strategies to prevent these complications. Future research in this area is still needed to strengthen recommendations.

Keywords: clinical algorithm; spinal oncology; spine surgery; surgical site infection; wound dehiscence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors disclose no financial conflicts of interest directly pertinent to this work. Please see supplemental ICMJE documents for full disclosures.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Classification of postoperative wound infections and dehiscence by tissue layer.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Proposed prevention and management algorithm flowcharts. *Immunosuppresion includes recent use of chemotherapeutic agents, radiation to the surgical site, chronic corticosteroids, or chronic metabolic, endocrine, or auto-immune disorder which may increase the risk for complicated wound healing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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