Chronic infections of the spine

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2013 Jul:23 Suppl 1:S35-40. doi: 10.1007/s00590-013-1245-7. Epub 2013 Jun 7.

Abstract

Chronic infections following posterior fusion are relatively uncommon. They develop in a previous asymptomatic patient at a distant time from the surgery. Chronic infections arise from direct inoculation or hematogenous seeding. To eradicate a chronic infection, the pathogens, biofilm, non-viable tissues, adherence on surfaces, and instrumentation must be removed. The appropriate antibiotherapy is used in a short (4 weeks) or long protocol (9 weeks). Some patients may need repeated surgeries (leaving the instrumentation in situ) to avoid progressive deformity or symptomatic pseudoarthrosis in cases of implant removal.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Debridement
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Patient Outcome Assessment
  • Propionibacterium acnes / isolation & purification
  • Reoperation / methods
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Spinal Diseases / surgery*
  • Spinal Fusion / adverse effects*
  • Spinal Fusion / methods
  • Spine / microbiology
  • Spine / pathology
  • Spine / physiopathology
  • Spine / surgery
  • Surgical Wound Infection* / diagnosis
  • Surgical Wound Infection* / etiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection* / physiopathology
  • Surgical Wound Infection* / therapy
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents